ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesAm I missing anything before wife departs philippines?

My wife has her passport with visa, stamp/certificate from CFO, plane ticket and all her paperwork... packed and ready to go... is there anything I might be missing she needs to do before leaving cebu? When I left I had to pay an exit clearance fee. Does she have to pay some similar tax before leaving, or is she ready to go now? I just don't want her to get to the airport to go and have them say 'oh you didn't do this/pay this.'



In my case, I pay P1,650 (travel) tax and P750 terminal fee....it says that the P1, 650 is only for a filipina leaving the Philippines for good as many says. I guess the best adviced I could give to her is to put all her documents in her hand carry not in luggage and have all the documents ready in the POE. Congratulations!!!
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-01-27 12:00:00
PhilippinesWhat to do next

I called NVC earlier and I was told that they just forwarded our documents to the Manila Embassy. They also gave me my Manila case number. With this information, I told my fiancee that she can pay the application fee now, which she just did minutes ago. I read that the Manila Embassy does not send out packet 3 & 4, is this correct? And that they only send an appointment letter after I've scheduled the interview? So since we paid the application fee already, all we need to do is set-up the schedule for the interview, fill up the required forms (ds 156, ds156k, and ds 157?), wait for the appointmet letter, go to medical exam & then do interview?
Does that look right? Am I missing anything?

Thanks for any and all help. My fiancee and I are really excited right now at the opportunity of finally seeing each other again!


Yeah...time will be moving so fast now. But first let me congratulate both of you!!! Yes, its correct that the embassy does not send out packet 3 & 4 since I myself didnt received anything from them and got only letter after I got an appointment letter that we scheduled an interview. Fill up all the forms listed and she'll be fine. I guess, your fiancee can proceed now to medical. Once medical is finished the St Lukes medical will get her passport and she will only got it upon approval of visa. Further questions....feel free to ask....I got my NOA2 previously first week of July, and staying proactive, got here in US, Aug...just one month after my NOA2....goodluck
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-08 10:48:00
PhilippinesInterview Passed :0

My SO had her interview today and she passed and is now hanging around manila till she gets her visa.

and she made a very BIG fuss over the Hotel Juliano, she basically said its a horrible place.

she was asked:

How long ago did we met
How many times he visited
what was the reason for the second trip (childs baptism)
requested to see pictures of baptism (only ones he looked at)

after that she said he chatted her up telling her about New York, im guessing he was originally from queens cause he knew my area rather well, places you would only know about if you were here for a bit, and she said once he saw the pics he was most friendly to her and that even the consol next to them took notice (2 in a room ) and the girl who was interviewing thanked her because her consol was paying attention to my SO's conversation and just gave her an approval without saying much.

So thats that, god has been very good to us and i hop it keeps up so she can get here so very soon.

Thanks for all the help you guys have given us along this LONNNNNG crazy trip :)



congratulations...im looking forward to hear from your fiancee here in New York....:)
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-08 11:01:00
PhilippinesHelp on what to do after NOA2 arrives

We were approved on the 20th of Jan and i received the hard copy of the NOA2 soon after that. A couple days ago i received the NVC notice with the date of Jan 31 on it. Im wanting to know how to proceed from here. What forms does my fiancee need to fill out and is there any more forms for me to fill out as well? So far i have gathered, tax return, bank deposits for the last year, emails between the both of us since filed for the k-1, letter from work, phone records, the replica of the packet i sent with the k-1 plus all receipts, pay stubs from the last 6 months. Am i missing anything? Should i send these things to her ASAP? Do we wait for a letter or anything from the embassy? Can i have her go now and pay the interview fee or should i wait till after i send this to her?
Sorry for so many questions but i want to make sure its done correctly so there are no delays or that its all covered for when she goes to interview. Does she need to do anything else prior to medical and interview or after?

Thanks for any help.
Don



congratulations...time will be moving fast now..i guess all your questions wer answered but if you have some questions feel free to ask...im from the Philippines too currently here now in US :)
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-09 11:31:00
PhilippinesBENNINGTON,VERMONT

Hi, i'd love to know if there are some filipina's... who lives in Vermont or going to Vermont through a K1 visa... :)



hi...i got here with K1 visa last year.....Vermont Service Center here but we're from Millerton, NY...say hi to your filipian fiancee...im from the Philippines...
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-14 13:01:00
PhilippinesHappy Valentines Day To ALL
HI!!! JUST WANT TO GREET EVRYONE HERE.. A HAPPY VALENTINES DAY...IM WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST IN VISA JOURNEY...IF THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK...FEEL FREE TO DO IT...IM FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND JUST GOT HERE IN US LAST AUG 2010 ON K1 VISA, CHECK MY TIMELINES IF YOUR ON THE SAME BOAT AS MINE...WER FROM VERMONT SERVICE CENTER :) :) :)
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-14 13:11:00
PhilippinesYellow envelope from Embassy

I just want to verify something about the K1 visa; is it printed inside the passport? I’m just wondering since my fiancée said the only thing she can access is the passport since the instructions say not to open the yellow envelope. I also know that she needs the visa in order to take it to the CFO seminar.

Thank you



congratulations and have a safe trip to your fiancee...
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-14 12:55:00
PhilippinesGot my EAD :)

Congradulations :dance: :dance: :dance:

What's an EAD?



THANKS...EAD is Employement authorization giving me the privelege to work legally here in US even I still havent got my green card yet. :)
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-19 13:02:00
PhilippinesGot my EAD :)

Thanks for the reply, I thinks there is a lot of confusion around EAD & K-1. I've seen it stated that filing for EAD at all on K-1 is a waste because it's expiration is tied to the original I-94 expiration and I've seen it said that's only true if you apply for EAD without AOS. Your reply makes it clear the later one is true.


I guess so...my i-94 is already expired last Nov 26, 2010...good day!!!
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-17 15:47:00
PhilippinesGot my EAD :)

hi! Can you give us some points regarding the interview with CO in USEM. Our BIG day is on MArch 24, and we're trying to gather information that will help get ours done smoothly and quick ;-) Right now my fiance (Ann) is here with me in D.C under B2 visa & we're flying next month to Philippines for her interview..



hi there....hope this link would help you...this is my interview in USEM last Aug 16, 2010 with my fiancee...any questions feel free to asked.... http://www.visajourn..._1#entry4144933
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-17 15:38:00
PhilippinesGot my EAD :)

Out of curiosity, what is the expiration date on your EAD? Does it match your I-94 expiration date which by your timeline was around Thanksgiving?

I'm asking this because I've seen it said many times on VJ that applying for EAD on K-1 is useless as it is supposed to expire with your I-94.

I would just like to know if that's true or not...



on my EAD card, the expiration date would be after a year. We apply EAD together with my AOS application last Nov 19 and got an email notification and told that my EAD was approved last february 7, 2011. As it shows on my EAD card, it would be expired on February 6, 2012 meaning my EAD is valid for ONE YEAR. When your applying for AOS, EAD and Advance parole are FREE so we just tae advantage of it since I havent got yet my green card, at least now I could do the job hunting :) hope this help
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-17 15:32:00
PhilippinesGot my EAD :)
I finally got my EAD card.....thanks all for all your help :) Im not sure if im posting this on correct forum, you can moved this to correct forum TNX! YOu can check my timeline,im from the Philippines.....any questions...feel free to ask...goodluck all
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-17 13:03:00
Philippinesis SFO good for POE?

Hello vj members. any heads up on poe? SFO my plan for poe i wonder if thats friendly for new immigrants? and how many hours does it take ? because i still need to catch a domestic flight after sfo... any idea ? i really wanted to know. and also is that ok to bring some delicacies like otap, dried mango and how many is the limit?..
thank you :D :D :D :D



SFO is also my POE....and immigration officers are good just have all the proper documents with you. I never been late with my domestic flight since my last destination is NY so from SFO, i travelled goin to JFK airport with no hassle. I guess it also depends on the season and holidays goodluck :)
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-28 15:17:00
PhilippinesWhen does the embassy send a letter...

When does the embassy send a letter saying that my wife needs to go to st. lukes for her medical exam?????


Unfortunately...I didnt received any letter or call from the Philippine embassy saying that I can go to St. Lukes. If you do have the NVC letter saying that your case is now transfer to Manila, wait for 1-2 weeks and schedule an interview as well as proceed to St LUkes for medical. This is what I did :)
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-01-27 11:53:00
PhilippinesQuestion about entering USA on K1-Visa

Where did you go for CFO,

PRISM or St. Mary's?


PRISM......
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-03-23 20:21:00
PhilippinesQuestion about entering USA on K1-Visa

I wouldn't believe a word of this. Who else has gone to the CFO Seminar and had to produce some document besides their passport?

On the other hand, stranger things are asked for here in the Philippines.



well i know, hard to belived but I was also asked about the maiden name of my hubbys mom. Strange but better be prepare right. I guess, theyv been asking about it because when I get the sticker for my passport, I saw it on their database. You all have to be aware, im a filipina and most of us are not aware that the middle name of our hubby is not the last name of their mom which is automatic in the Philippines, our middlename is the last name of our mother. I remember my husband felt bad about this CFO because I share to him my experience and what are the things they told us...maybe for those who had their CFO seminar you could also share your CFO experience because mine isnt that so good.
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-03-23 10:47:00
PhilippinesQuestion about entering USA on K1-Visa

We had no idea about the CFO. OMG I am very glad I posted that question! We would be in big trouble if we showed up at the airport without that. Do they give the certificate and sticker the same day or is there a waiting period? She said they never told her about the CFO at the embassy. She is going to go the seminar next friday then when i am there we will take her visa and passport and get the stamps. Thanks you all for enlightening us about that!



CFO will really not be mentioned in US embassy, its actually only for filipinas leaving the PHilippines. I know what you feel, my husband told me that whats that for all about, well its a sort of "PHILIPPINE LAW" that anyone leaving the country need to have this seminar, even if Annabelle got a visa but she dont have this certificate and sticker on her passport, she will not be allowed to leaved the country. Tell Annabelle, its not just simply "SEMINAR" wherein your just listening to a speaker, yes there is but there is a step wherein the last portion would be FINAL INTERVIEW again. I just remember one time when I did this, one of my friend didnt get the certificate because the interviewer told that she needs the birthcertifcate of the mom of his fiancee (shocking??) but she get it to get a certificate. One thing I could give advice for annabelle, during her final interview for the CFO seminar, let her be so familiar with the maiden name of your mom, its SO IMPORTANT to let her answer this with confident. Goodluck
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-03-21 13:51:00
PhilippinesQuestion about entering USA on K1-Visa

We are getting very close to the time Annabelle will be coming to the USA with me and I just want to ensure we have all of our i's dotted and t's crossed. I am going to the Philippines to come back with her on April 1st. She has her K1_Visa packaged, sealed. Is there anything else we need besides the boarding pass?

Also, what can be expected after we get off the plane. We will be flying into Detroit first and then to Philadelphia. Do we go to the normal customs line and present them with the sealed packet? Can I go with her to the foreign nationals line even though I am a US citizen?

Thanks in advance for the help and advice.


CONGRATULATIONS!!! just make sure Annabelle do have a CFO seminar or sticker before the flight or else the Phillippine immigration officer wont allow her to go out of country without it on her passport. She needs to be on a foreign nationals line and you need to be on US citizen line. No worry, she'll be fine, just make sure to have the sealed envelope with her not on luggage but on handcarry...have a safe trip
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-03-18 15:42:00
Philippinesquestion about Medical at St.Lukes

hi all who have gone their medical at St. Lukes,Can you tell me what would be
the available vaccines that I would take if all goes well with my medical results.Because i don't have any vaccine record. :)
Thanks so much



no worry...you need not to pay any additional amount for vaccines, it all included for your medical payment, just prepare yourself for the vaccines you'll be recieving and get ready to fly here in US :) Congratulations...
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-03-26 16:48:00
PhilippinesTaking Medical results to interview

I've "heard" that, if you have your interview right after your medical exam, that they will let you carry your results to the interview yourself. However, I've never heard anyone say that they actually did it; just that somebody else did. Does anybody know for sure that you can do this?

Thanks.



hmmm havent tried it...if they get your passport, its for sure your medical is ok. They will give you CD of your xray result as well as vaccination record that you can used for your AOS here in US. Usually n interview, the consul officer dont have any question regarding your medical since once they have your passport forward to USEM, it means your medical is OK...hoep this helps...
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-04-22 12:51:00
Philippineslost xray cd from St. Lukes

My friend message me this morning and told me that she had been robbed last night and those guys took away her folder with her St. Lukes chest X-ray on it. She is really worried that she might not get a replacement for it? Is it possible to attain a new copy of it? and the mere fact that her flight is going to be on the 10 of Feb :( Is there some one out here who got through this thing? What did you do? Thank you so much and I hope to hear from all of you guys.


Your friend will be fine. The CD that I got from ST LUkes is useless. When I filed my AOS and have my medical for additional vaccination, evrything goes so smooth. With this CD that I got from ST. LUke, im given 2 option by the doctor, its either to have my TB test or look for a radiologist to read the xray CD. But of course, I just choosed to have my tb test again which is much cheaper....in short my CD from ST. Lukes is nothing :(
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-01-27 18:06:00
PhilippinesFilipina wife issues....advice please...

Hey all, first my name is Scott...my wife is from the phillipines...we have been together over a year and married. We have her K1 visa and we are about to go back to the United States. I am a US Soldier and stationed in S. Korea....for the past year I have been sending money to her family, but during this time we have been financially struggeling. My wife is now 16 weeks pregnant with our son, which is amazing bc we have been trying for about 6 months...and while trying i told her on many occassions that once she was pregnant money would STOP to her family..but yet she doesnt see it that way.

It all started after we first met and her 4 year old sister needed eye surgery or she would go blind, it was only 300.00 USD so it wasnt that bad, but after that it was her family with their hand out on payday. I delt with it but now i cant because my son's future is at stake.

I was sending 350.00 USD every 2 weeks....totaled 7,500.00 USD in 1 year, and then I sent her home with 3000.00 USD when she went home to visit. She has 9 brothers and sisters, two of the boys being 20 and 21. She is the oldest child.

Last night I made a comment on her facebook about how happy I was we were having a son, i check later and her oldest brother posted "send money home now says momma". Now this made me extremely angry not only did he disrespect my way of life but he posted on my comment about my son with such non-sense.

Today she said she wanted to send 150.00 USD home, I told her no we had discussed last check we would send 100.00 USD every 2 weeks...and thats all. She wont talk to her family about them getting jobs, she just sits quietly and lets them beg and i have to see her upset and crying

This is causing our marriage to be in trouble..I love my wife and will do anything to make her happy...but I cant take this stress anymore...what do i do?!

As of now I am not sending any money to them, and she wont speak to me going on 2 days now....


Hi Im a filipina too...your so generous to help your wife family in the Philippines. You need to explain to your wife that its not possible that you will be forever supporting her family. Your wife should be aware how you work hard to earned money. Im aware that many filipinas really wanted to help their family from the Philippines but I guess, she should also experience how to work and earned money here in US so she would realized that earning dollar is not easy. Im just actualy new here in US just arrived here last Aug, 2010 not yet working but Im so aware of how my husband works hard. Im the youngest daughter and I only have one brother, no more parents :( I dont know if I should say im lucky to have a small family....but in my case I wish I have a big family as your wife :( anyway goodluck for you and tell you wife that she do have her own life and not to shoulder all the financial problems of her family in the philippines
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-01-18 14:14:00
PhilippinesSt Lukes Medical Exam Companion week of June 13

Hi Guys. My first post on here. Very Grateful for all the info that everyone has shared on here!

We don't have our K1 interview date just yet, but our NOA2 / NVC letter is done and package is in the US Embassy in Manila.

My fiance lives in Makati and she is planning to get her Advance Medical Exam at ST LUKES on Monday or Tuesday June 13/14 or sometime that week. She would feel more comfortable if she could have a companion that day, who is also going to the exam, to meet there ahead of time. Perhaps if there is another VJ member who is also going to have their medical exam that day - they can meet up.

If anyone is interested please let me know and you can exchange emails/contact info with her.

Thanks!


im a filipina too...do your fiancee have a facebook account? im actually here now in NY but i could add her in a group of filipinas working also for a US K1 fiancee visa...that would help her meet all the ladies processing and she could surely find even a group of ladies for medical =) mhrzl_mt@yahoo.com is my email.
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-06-08 13:34:00
PhilippinesSt Lukes Medical Exam Companion week of June 13

Hi Guys. My first post on here. Very Grateful for all the info that everyone has shared on here!

We don't have our K1 interview date just yet, but our NOA2 / NVC letter is done and package is in the US Embassy in Manila.

My fiance lives in Makati and she is planning to get her Advance Medical Exam at ST LUKES on Monday or Tuesday June 13/14 or sometime that week. She would feel more comfortable if she could have a companion that day, who is also going to the exam, to meet there ahead of time. Perhaps if there is another VJ member who is also going to have their medical exam that day - they can meet up.

If anyone is interested please let me know and you can exchange emails/contact info with her.

Thanks!


MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-06-08 13:31:00
PhilippinesMedical Exam Schedule

One more question....can I bring my nanny to the SLEC since I have decided to have the schedule the sametime with my daughter as i dont have time anymore due to work related constraints......



only applicant are allowed to enter the St. Lukes extension clinic...you could bring your nanny but there is a 50/50 percent that she will not be allowed to enter =)
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-07-02 16:32:00
PhilippinesLooking for a friend from buffalo new york
hi there...im also from NY...but im from Millerton, NY =) well at least wer the same state =) im also a filipina, and just got here last year Aug 2010...hope we can be friends...do u have facebook account?
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-07-02 16:21:00
Philippinesevidence of ongoing relationship

Hello fellow VJ members,

Just a quick question for you....my wife and I have been discussing whether or not she should bring her western union receipts as part of her proof of ongoing relationship.....any ideas on this???

Thank you......Thomas & Cleo


YES that would help and a evidence
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2012-04-12 15:40:00
PhilippinesMedical & Visa Expire 5/2 -- need advice please

I haven't been very active here since registering, and I'm regretting that now.. I think I could have saved myself, and my fiance a lot of troubles.

But anyway.. on to my question, which HOPEFULLY someone can help with.

My fiance had to go through the dreaded sputum/culture test at St Luke's back in November; thankfully nothing was found. The interview took place in Feb.. but we found out that a Police Clearance Certificate was required from Japan before we could receive approval. We requested that ASAP.. but it took another two and a half months to receive it, and we submitted same day. This left half us with just 2 weeks left before the medical expired.

By some miracle everything was processed by the Embassy and she now has a stamped visa (and will be attending the CFO seminar tomorrow). Travel plans are causing issues though. We had pretty much given up hope on this first medical, so we were not prepared to be approved. I want to give my fiance as much time as possible to prepare, say goodbye, etc... so that means leaving either on 5/1 or 5/2. Thankfully I live near SFO in the States, and the direct flight on PAL fits the needs perfectly. There are flights from MNL to SFO both days, leaving at 10:30pm local time and arriving here in the US at 8pm. Assuming no delays, either will work.. since the medical expires at 12:00am on 5/3. BUUTTTTTTTT in the event there's a delay, longer than 4 hours.. I don't know what will happen. If by some freak of nature, my fiance's medical expires mid flight, will she be denied entry? Is there any chance customs would just let her slide, since she started the journey on time and... should have arrived while the medical was still valid? Or is it silly to even be contemplating this, when it's a risk?

Any insight would be appreciated.



no worry she will be fine....the medical is not checked in the port of entry to US...it would only be checked again upon filling for her AOS or adjustment of status after u got married...goodluck and have a safe flight for your fiancee...
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2012-04-25 12:49:00
PhilippinesCFO PDOS - Before or After Visa?

I want to know the pro's and con's of before and after. Love has the next two weeks free in Manila before her interview, and wants to leave Manila after getting her visa to return home for a couple weeks before coming here. So we are trying to decide if it's best for her to do it before she receives her visa or just wait till a couple days before her flight out to do it. I really would like advice based on experiences.



I guess it is better for her to have her visa and finished the CFO seminar so that she wont need to deal with it and just focuse on her flight. The CFO seminar only takes few hours and she can finished it in just 1-2 days..Goodluck =)
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2012-04-25 12:40:00
Philippinesvisa approved

thank you for all the replies..just so excite to be with my fiance,its been 7months since we last saw each other.


thank you..just hope it arrives asap. :)


im from Pasig City...got mine in 1 week...goodluck...
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2012-05-15 15:47:00
PhilippinesManila too dangerous for my fiancee to stay there...

I was texting with my finacee this morning and she told me that her family is very concerned about her safety if she stays in Manila for several weeks before getting on the plane for the US. We will be chatting about it online tonight my time to discuss it further.

She's never been to Manila and her family is really worried. Our plan is for her to make her permanent move once she leaves Mindanao and to stay in Manila until departure. It could take 3-4 weeks to get the medical, have the interview and wait for deliveries.

I texted her this morning that obviously hundreds, if not thousands of females stay there during this process without issue. But, I do know that these lone females need to be extra careful and to not go out at night.

Being 10,000 miles away makes it tough for me to help. Any suggestions?


the only thing I could suggest being a filipina as well would be let her be with the ladies of the same situation, I mean there are some group of Filipinas from Mindanao wo are going thru the same process...tell her to email me and I'll try to find ladies from mindanao staying in Manila who is also under going the same process...here is my email mhrzl_mt@yahoo.com
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2012-06-06 13:34:00
PhilippinesAfter NOA2: Detailed Summary

In response to a few messages from people asking me what I did after I got my NOA2, I am posting a thread for everyone to see. I’m nearing the end of the process, and several VJ members have helped me (a special thanks to Beth & Chard), so I just want to put all of the knowledge of these members into one thread so that people don’t have to research so many different threads. I hope this post will help people in the process after the NOA2 and most importantly, scheduling the interview. More advanced VJ members—feel free to add or edit any information in this post!

Now, I’m assuming that everyone already has their NBI, Cenomar, Birth Certificate, passport, and other required documents, and there are several posts and links with the list of requirements, so I’ll save you the trouble and skip over that section. I do recommend getting all of that done ahead of time, except for the I-134 since you want your bank account to be up-to-date. Once I got my NOA2, I had to rush and get all of my evidence together to send to my fiancée, so it’s better if you already have this done. I also have another post http://www.visajourn...ines/explaining why I think Johnny Air is the best carrier for shipping your documents to your fiancée. So, here we go!

After receiving the NOA2 and sending all the necessary documents to your fiancée in the Philippines, the first thing to do is to find out your case number from the NVC. By the time I received my NOA2, my case had already left the NVC and was on its way to the embassy. I called the NVC at 603-334-0700 to find out if the NVC had received my case. Note: be patient because it’s busy half of the time; you just have to dial it over and over until you get through. When you get the automated recording, you can follow the instructions to enter your USCIS case number by using your phone keypad (this is your receipt number, which begins with something like EAC followed by numbers). Or, you can do like I did and talk to the operator, who can give you your embassy case number and tell you when your case left the NVC. When I used the automated system, no record was found on my case. It was at that point that I discovered that my NOA2 said my case had been forwarded to the consulate, not the NVC, so I decided to speak to an operator instead of using the automated system. The recording will tell you which number to press for the operator (I think it’s #5), and then you’ll give them your USCIS receipt number and answer a few general questions about you and your fiancé. I’m not sure how long it takes to get to the NVC, but the general estimate I’ve got from most people is a week (sometimes more, sometimes less) from the day you got your NOA2. In my case, since I was actually approved a week before I received my NOA2, my case was already on its way to the embassy, so when I asked the operator, he told me that my case had already left on Jan. 7 and gave me the number to call the embassy to see if it had been received. He also gave me my case number to reference when calling the embassy (Mine started with MNL plus 10 numbers). Make sure you get 1) your case number and 2) the day it left the NVC. At this point, you can track your case through DHL by following the instructions in this thread. When you read it, you will see why you need the day your case left the NVC.

http://www.visajourn...nvc-to-embassy/

Once you have your case number, you can go ahead and pay the visa fee at BPI since you know your case is on its way to the embassy. You’ll just need to bring your passport w/ you plus $350 (to be paid in PHP). After payment, make sure they give you your receipt because you will need to take this with you to your interview. Then comes the fun part--you get to be on the phone or online every afternoon trying to schedule your interview! Of course, you can wait for the embassy to send you further instructions, but as many VJ members warned me, some people wait a long time before they receive the letter from the embassy and others never receive it at all. That’s why I recommend calling the embassy to find out when they received your case. After I tracked my case on DHL, I saw that it left on January 10 and that the embassy received in on January 12. After they have your case, you’re ready to schedule the interview.

Even though the embassy physically has your case, it may take a week for them to enter it into their system. It is important to know this to save you some frustration when you try to schedule your interview online. The first thing I did after my fiancée paid her visa fee at the Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI) was try to schedule online. Go to this link:

http://www.ustraveld...ppointment.html

and click on “K-Visa Appointment Scheduling.” You will need the passport number of the applicant, the day your visa fee was paid (or validated), the applicant’s birthday, and you will have to create a password that you will need to log in. As I mentioned, it gave me all kinds of problems. First, it said that I should check the fee payment date. After trying several times and calling the call center to no avail, one call center agent realized that the fee payment date should be Jan. 18, even though my fiancée paid it on Jan. 17. So, if you’re receiving an error that tells you to check your fee payment date, try the day after. Once you have that date right and all of your info entered correctly, you’ll probably get an error that says “Case Number is not valid.” This is because, as I mentioned above, the embassy has either not put your case in their system or not sent the info to the call center so that you can schedule. I called the embassy after I finally received the error “Case Number is not valid,” and the operator told me that the instructions were mailed to my fiancée on Jan. 18 (6 days after the embassy received my case). She told me I was ready to schedule, but after trying again online and calling the call center without success, I realized that I needed to call the embassy again to get them to set me up in their system. You can reach the embassy at 632-301-2000. When the operator comes on, press 7 and enter the extension 5184# or 5185#. You may have to call back several times before you finally get someone on the line, but it’s worth the wait =). Anyway, I told the operator the problem, and she said she would enter my information so that I could be scheduled for the interview. The next day, I checked online, and I was able to schedule!!! After you enter the basic info on the first page, it will take you to another page where you can specify where the visa should be delivered. I entered my fiancée’s address, but I’ve been told by others that there is an option to select for a visa pickup at a 2GO branch. I didn’t see it, though, perhaps because I was in a rush. The system will automatically generate a UID number, which you need to PRINT. If you leave the page without writing down your UID number, I do not think you will be able to schedule since it will ask you for your UID and password. After printing the page with your UID number, you will be brought to a page with a calendar to select the interview date. Just a warning: when you schedule online, avoid the mistake I made. Before you ever log in, decide which date you want because you only have a short time. When I looked at the calendar to select the interview date, I had to think about it, and my session timed out after being idle for only about 30 seconds (I read of other VJ members that had the same experience). Once it times out, there’s nothing you can do to get back in and schedule it, so you’ll have to call the call center to get them to finish it for you. It’s not a big deal, but it was frustrating since I made the mistake in the day (U.S. time) and was unable to fix it until that night. The call center phone number is 214-571-1600 for U.S. callers.

Your interview is now scheduled, and you’re ready to go! You just need to fill out your DS-156, DS-156K, and DS157, print 2 copies of each, and bring them with you to your interview along with your other documents. For your info on what is needed for the medical, refer to this excellent post http://www.visajourn...m-walkthrough/. I’ve been told it’s not required, but the guard at St. Luke’s asked my fiancée for her official letter from the embassy (the one I mentioned that some never receive). Thankfully, she received it the day before she left for her medical, but I’m pretty sure you can bring any documentation that has your MNL case number on it. You might even be able to give it to them verbally, but you’d have to ask someone with that experience, since I’m not sure. One helpful tip I got from another VJ member was to email the embassy at IVManilaReplies@state.gov to find out if your case has been received. That way, if your letter does not arrive in time, you will have some documentation with your case number on it. To ensure a prompt response, include the applicant’s last, first & middle name, MNL case number, and visa class (K1 visa). I got a response in about 3 business days. Then, you can print the email showing your case number and take it with you to the medical and interview.

Well, once you’ve got all of that, you’re ready for the medical and the interview! I think 3 business days is plenty to allow for St. Luke’s to send your results to the embassy. My fiancée went to her medical on a Monday, completed it on Tuesday, and has her interview schedule for this Friday, and St. Luke’s indicated that it wouldn’t be a problem since they knew her interview date.

Anyway, I hope this helps, and thanks to VJ for all the help I’ve got during this long process =).

Summary:
1) Send documents to applicant in Philippines
2) Obtain case number from NVC
3) Track through DHL
4) Pay visa fee at BPI
5) Schedule Interview



GOODLUCK...I WILL BE HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU WHEN YOUR HERE IN US
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2011-02-02 15:51:00
PhilippinesDirect flight from Manila to JFK airport

Hi everyone,
I would like to book a direct flight from Manila to JFK airport for my fiancée. Is this even possible? Any suggestions as what airlines might do this? Thanks for any help!


My flight last January 20 from Manila going US would be Manila to Narita to JFK Airport (via DELTA)....
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2013-02-08 14:32:00
Philippinesmeeting Filipino

Hello all,

I am new here in DFW area, any Filipino lives here in Dallas Fort Worth?

Thanks.


Best regards,
Judy


pinay here but not from texas....
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2013-02-15 19:24:00
PhilippinesDual Citizenship - Pros & Cons (For Filipinas & Filipinos)

I thought it might be interesting to see what others have done or are planning once they acquire U.S. citizenship regarding reaffirming their citizenship in the Philippines.

http://www.philippin...dual primer.pdf


Im still on process with my ROC and after I acquire US citizenship, I would still reaffirm my citizenship in the Philippines. Being a Filipino citizen would also help in getting properties...which mostly I inherited from my parents. Getting a business in the Philippines would as well a big advantage for me. Maybe in the near future we would as well stay in the Philippines...in our retirement days....I wouldn't want to be in a home for the aged wherein if im in the Philippines, you do have lots of family member or even u can get your own private nurse plus maids in a cheaper price and treating you a precious person :thumbs: and lastly...NO PLACE LIKE HOME...just my thought....
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2013-02-23 19:57:00
PhilippinesCFO question

I have heard some horror stories about the CFO Interrogation...opps I mean seminar can anyone shed some light on this subject?



mine in malate mla is as well an interrogation.....they will show some scary things about america :bonk:
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2013-02-23 19:03:00
PhilippinesInterview schedule

hello VJ users.. I just want to ask if there is an specific day of K1 interview. I mean like, does US embassy only interview K1 beneficiary only on Friday??? or anytime of the day...
want to ask ur help..
thanks in advance


anytime ....congrats kabayan=)
MarizhellFemalePhilippines2013-02-17 08:36:00
PhilippinesStupid, some might say. St.Luke's CD with Medical Data...

I still have mine ....goofy.gif and even had a thought of throwing it n the garbage but just had a thought of keeping it for remembrance dancin5hr.gif


MarizhellFemalePhilippines2013-06-20 20:53:00
PhilippinesSeems that a lot has changed...

Goodluck on your journey......time really flew so fast....and im going to have my oath taking for citizenship :joy: :jest:   ... I will never forget the experienced with our so called "VISA-JOURNEY"

 

Goodluck everyone.... :goofy:


MarizhellFemalePhilippines2014-03-27 21:27:00
Philippinesfilipina fiancee

Goodluck on your process and everyone else here =)

 

It is a very tough test wit ur partner :crying:  :huh2:  ...but stay strong and keep LOVE on the air... (L)

 

Im goin to have my oath taking ceremony this April 11 to be a US citizen... :joy:  :joy:  :joy:  :jest:

 

I will be very happy to accept some inquiries and questions :idea:  because years ago, Ive been in all your situation, maybe a different path but believe me being on the last stage of visa process is a good feeling and achievement.

 

Mabuhay!!! :goofy:

 

 


MarizhellFemalePhilippines2014-03-28 10:20:00