ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesNOA2 (I-797) received in the mail today!

No txt, no email.  I got NOA1 txt & email back in Feb 2013. Checked my mailbox today and it's the approval for my fiancee appl.! Approval date was June 3, 2013. Wow! I wasn't expecting this for a few more months, though.  Now I've got to get going and get ready.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-06-07 19:21:00
PhilippinesSt Lukes/ Embassy Interview question

I'm in almost similar situation: fiancee has 2 girls (4yrs and 1 yr old).  So her mother will be allowed at St Lukes to help with the kids.  Will she be allowed inside the US Embassy also to help with the kids? Thanks.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-06-27 19:01:00
PhilippinesAnybody noticed a slow down at NVC

I just called USCIS earlier today and was transfered to an immigration officer.  The prompt informed me of 105 mins. wait time, and was given the option of leaving a call back number which I did.  It took almost an hour before I received the call.  Was informed that my file was forwarded to NVC 6/19.  Later contacted NVC and confirmed that they have my file ...... and the standard response of allow 20 days for processing time.  I'll probably call every other day just to be sure.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-06-24 22:35:00
PhilippinesJust Got My MNL Case #

Yeah, i waited 6 hrs, but the call center agent told me I had to wait for embassy letter/instructions before setting up an appt. I slept on it and decided to book online......so many open dates (is that just for K-1?). Email confirmation appt. already received and forwarded to my fiancee to bring to medical & interview.

FloranteNlauraMale02013-07-06 10:42:00
PhilippinesAppointment Letter from US Embassy Manila

Hank is right!. After I got the MNL Case #, my fiancee paid the visa fee; waited 5 hrs to be sure and called for an appt, and was told to wait for embassy intructions. I slept on it and decided to book an appt on line, and was really surprised at the open dates available! They have openings as early as Thursday July 11, but opted for a later date. I've noticed embassy doesn't do interviews on Fridays anymore. Now on to medical......things start moving pretty quickly from now. This site provided a lot of help. Thanks to everybody.

FloranteNlauraMale02013-07-06 10:21:00
Philippinesplease help tom interview jus need to clarify something

 

 

We just picked up the passport/visa today (July 9) at 2Go, Mall of Asia. My fiancee received a text message on her personal phone and work phone that it was ready, and we went right over to get it. 

 

Our interview was exactly 1 week ago (July 2). Also consider that there was the July 4 holiday in there, so it took really just 4 "business" days to arrive at 2Go MOA. So if you are picking up in the same place, that is hopefully a good indication for you. smile.png

 

Note on the tracking methods:

  • The tracking method on 2Go website NEVER showed a valid number. I checked constantly since the day of the interview.
  • CEAC tracking changed from "ready" to "issued" on July 5 (2 business days later), and that was it.
  • Passport tracking option on ustraveldocs website only showed an update of "received from consular section" for a very brief time on the third business day, I think. All other times I checked, it said "no update available".

 

 

 

Luke417 where exactly if 2Go office in Mall of Asia (So huge!!!).  Please provide any stores close by.  My fiancee can probably ask for any guards.  Thanks


FloranteNlauraMale02013-07-09 13:18:00
PhilippinesDS-156 for K2...how to sign

My fiancee has 2 kids (9 & 7 yrs old) and included with the petition as K2.  How do we handle DS-156 forms for the children?  Because when they got their Philippine passport she was told to leave the signature block empty, hence, children's passport does not have a signature whatsoever.

 

Does she put "For" then sign her name on behalf of the children?  Or just leave it up to the Embassy personnel's instructions?  Thanks for any replies.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-07-18 17:09:00
PhilippinesProof of Evidence

Congrats! Approved with no pics and did not generate RFE....Really exceptional.  However, come interview time with the embassy, how will the consul proceed without pictures of you together.  Maybe your fiance can be with you during that time and explain in person as to the lost pictures.  Just my $.02.  Good luck and keep us posted.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-03 20:20:00
PhilippinesMNL# 8 weeks before you can have it per NVC!

Yes, standard answer. Kept calling NVC so after 10 days what I did on my situation was to call USCIS and spoke to Tier 2 rep. and sure enough, even though I've got the txt & email NOA2 approval, my file was still with USCIS and ready to be shipped to NVC. The next day called again and confirmed/given a date as to when my file left USCIS. Only then was it forwarded to NVC. Few days later NVC confirmed receipt of my file and then 1-1/2 week later was given MNL Case #. Best of luck to you.

FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-04 09:43:00
Philippinestravel of RECORS

Hmm....This is highly unusual...Are they asking for copies of his passport pages showing entry/exit stamps? or airline boarding passes to the Phils. Your timeline indicates Admin. Review, meaning you received 221g. What exactly are they requesting? Also what is FPU in your timeline pls? Best of luck to both of you.

FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-04 09:26:00
PhilippinesMedical K1/K2 finished; Interview finished with 221(g)

No problems with medical.  Interview 8/1/13 went well. At the check-out window fiancee was given 221(g) to get another NBI clearance with AKA, and still waiting for HK police clearance.  Her last name on birth cert is CASTILLIO.

It should have been CASTILLO and was duly corrected, annotated and reflected on the NSO birth cert.  She has always used CASTILLO on all her gov't id cards, and even old passports to work in HK.  The NBI clearance that was picked up 7/8/13 was for CASTILLO.  Friday 8/2/13 she went to NBI branch in her local province just outside Metro Manila and was told it would take 3-4 weeks as they normally don't process AKA applications (HUH?! Really!?!). So she went to the main NBI at UN Ave in Ermita Monday 8/5/13 - was told it would take 7-10 days.  Upon showing the copy of NBI clearance just received 7/8/13 and a little bit of convincing she was able to pick it up later that afternoon (AKA CASTILLIO) and proceeded to Robinsong 2GO for delivery to the embassy.  HK police clearance should also be ready by the end of this week. I plan on checking CEAC status this Friday for any update


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-05 19:32:00
Philippinesexit tax n terminal fees

Terminal fee is 550 per person. Travel tax for adults 1620; children is reduced 810/ea. I forgot the website ... (tieza). Maybe somebody can direct you to the right resources, or search for it. Best of luck.

FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-10 15:13:00
Philippines2Go MOA pick up .... notification?

If and when visa is issued and released, will 2Go txt the recipient that visa is ready for pickup?

Thanks for any replies.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-07 17:59:00
PhilippinesWedding Ring

Way to go DavenRoxy! I'm starting out with those rings you find inside cracker jacks!!! Hehehe, but seriously I've given her an engagement ring.  And we both decided on a simple matching wedding bands for the wedding. Elegant, presentable, memorable - not to break the bank.  Now if only we'd get out of AP.........


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-20 20:00:00
PhilippinesNBI different name spelling

My fiancee finished her interview and was given 221(g) for NBI with AKA and still waiting HK police clearance.  She went to main NBI on U.N. Ave. with the original NBI and after payment and coding went to 3rd floor (OFW), and be ready to give "early x-mas present" to the person that will help you.  Explain and show your present NBI and that you need another one with AKA.  She was told to wait and be back at 4 p.m. and it was ready.  In the 221(g) she was instructed to proceed to any 2Go office with the new NBI with AKA (still travel abroad or travel to usa...green form) and attached a copy of 221(g) and 2Go will deliver to the US Embassy free of charge.  She went to Robinson's Mall. She was given a tracking # and after delivery there was a txt confirmation of delivery to an embassy personnel.  Presently we're still waiting for HK clearance which arrived Phils. on 8/2/13, but embassy is not in receipt of it yet.   That's a whole lot another issue we're dealing with.  I've emailed HK and they provided tracking #.  Seems HK clearance is lost/misplaced/never received.  Grrrr!!! That's where we stand right now.  And embassy being closed for 3 days, really have to wait Thursday or Friday to contact them again.  Hoping for a better results.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-20 19:46:00
PhilippinesNBI different name spelling

If her NSO birth certificate is different from her official ID, she has to get another NBI with AKA. Interview would proceed but she will be issued 221(g) for a new NBI with AKA. That's what happened to my fiancee her birth certificate shows CASTILLIO, but always used CASTILLO as her name on all her gov't id and phil.passport. You might want to transfer to the Regional Forum - Philippines....plenty of help there. Best of luck to you.

FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-17 10:17:00
PhilippinesAnyone here still waiting for visa issuance after approval?

Double secret probation...great.

Couldn't they have finished all this background stuff earlier, like when we were waiting 8 months for the noa2?

Bunch of f#&tards running this system.



You would think so.....all that waiting time. Typical gov't bureaucracy. They work 2 speeds:
If you don't like SLOW, you sure aren't gonna like the other one. Ho-hum...We all feel so helpless.
Outside of our controls, not a whole lot to do but....wait.....wait......

Edited by FloranteNlaura, 23 August 2013 - 01:03 PM.



FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-23 13:00:00
PhilippinesAnyone here still waiting for visa issuance after approval?

In my case my fiancee was given 221(g) for another NBI with AKA and awaiting HK Police Clearance.  NBI with AKA was submitted 8/7/13, hence a ceac update status on 8/8/13.  Called HK and found out that Clearance was mailed 7/30/13 and arrived Phils. 8/2/13.  I was given tracking # for the document. Last Friday 8/16/13 I spoke to an embassy personnel and was informed that they are still waiting for the HK Clearance?!!??. So I sent an email asking for an update status with all pertinent information for the HK Clearance.  Weekend passed by and now typhoon closure and the holiday (8/19-21/13).  So there was no one to actually do the checking.  Ho-hum, grrr!, just in the waiting mode.  Not a whole lot we can really do.  Just to think that folks in Metro Manila is hard hit with all these floods.  Let's just pray for their safety and well-being.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-19 18:39:00
PhilippinesANNOUNCEMENT! Usem manila closed tomorrow Aug 26 monday

Oh yes, we forgot to tell you also.....there's another typhoon on the way.... looks like they'll be closed again.....Grrrr!. What was that?

FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-25 09:28:00
PhilippinesMonday and Tuesday for Medical, USEM interview Thursday enough time?

That's what my fiancee went thru with K2.  Monday was X-ray for her & physical exams for both and the child was given TB skin test and was told to be back Wednesday for reading.  Tuesday was off for both of them.  They came back Wednesday and after reading child's TB skin test (Negative results) they were both given shots and released together with their passport & sealed medical records.  Thursday was embassy interview.  CFO was taken cared of last month.  Of note, also, when we were planning the interview she had to be aware of her "monthly visitor" and had to work around it.  Best of luck to you.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-13 19:21:00
Philippinesproblem with my cenomar

I can only tell you what my fiancee went thru when getting her CENOMAR. She paid for 2, was told to come back in 9 days.  On the designated day of pick-up.....how could it be that 1 CENOMAR spelled correctly and the other one is misspelled?.  She asked for the supervisor and was told nothing they can do....except for her to pay for another one and wait again.  Grrrr!!!!.  Only advice I can give you is to make sure all NSO documents pertaining to name has to match exactly or else expect delays caused by 221(g). Best of luck to you.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-29 19:09:00
PhilippinesError on setting up an appointment

just sign up for a new email account exclusively to be used for USEM/SLEC purposes, hopefully that should get you started. Best of luck to you.

FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-31 13:16:00
PhilippinesI-94 availability after POE arrival

How soon after arriving at POE will I-94 be available on the website for print out for SSN purposes.  Thanks in advance.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-09-02 18:16:00
PhilippinesCFO class....corruption in the Philippines

Yeahh! Try to stand your ground.  When you get 221(g) like we did.  I am a FilAm.  My fiancee was told from her local province they can do NBI with AKA  but will take at least 14 working days to process.   Called the NBI HQ and was informed that they should be able to do it locally within hours.  Local province insisted they can't do it. So she went to the NBI HQ - was told it will take several days.  That's when you talk to someone and give them "early xmas present", and your papers are ready that afternoon.

It's really true: Graft and Corruption exists because of needs.  If you stick by the book you're in for a surprise:  you've waited 14 days and the papers you received was under a mispelled name (Oopss!).  Early on she requested 2 copies of NSO CENOMAR.  One was with the correct name; and how do you explain that the other one is spelled wrong!  No refunds, the supervisor just said pay again to get another one.  Start the process again...."Oh sorry we must have misplaced your paperwork." is another excuse.  Just my .02 cents.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-28 16:16:00
PhilippinesImmigrant Visa Unit address

You're right......send it directly to USEM, instead of thru your fiancee then 2GO...(save 2-3 days)

The address:

 U.S. Embassy

1201 Roxas Boulevard
Manila, Philippines 1000

 

Personally, I would use FEDEX that way you can track it all the way to the person who signed for it. I've sent documents thru FEDEX on Monday and received Thursday of the same week. Will cost you $$$ though.

Best of luck to you! 


FloranteNlauraMale02013-09-10 19:46:00
PhilippinesEmbassy Made Me Reschedule K-1 On Oct 10th

Obama is scheduled to visit PI during that week on his asian tour.

FloranteNlauraMale02013-09-21 10:14:00
PhilippinesVisa "Issued", Traveldocs says "With Post"

Huh?! It is at the MOA but not ready for pick-up.  Try calling yourself, and maybe you'll get a better answer.  I've been the one calling myself and the 2Go clerks are responsive.  Good luck

 


FloranteNlauraMale02013-10-03 11:04:00
PhilippinesVisa "Issued", Traveldocs says "With Post"

 Try (632) 901-1404.  I called and verified that it's ready for pick up at MOA.  This was 4pm Manila time.  Within 30 mins fiancee got txt from 2Go.  You have 10 days to pick it up, otherwise it's returned to the embassy. Good luck.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-10-02 17:59:00
PhilippinesUSTRAVELDOCS: No status update available for the passport submitted

Try checking again Friday afternoon (PI time).  Ours was issued 9/26....website updated on 9/30 after 1 pm, then at 4:30 fiancee got a txt from 2Go for pickup at MOA.  She decided to pick it up the next day 10/1 then proceeded to CFO for the kids sticker.  They're on their way to LAX now.  Good luck to you!


FloranteNlauraMale02013-10-03 10:59:00
PhilippinesI-765 Forms for K1/K2

Duhh!!...He-he-he.  You guys are right. I dowloaded the form a while back.  With the latest form from the USCIS website it works like a champ!.   Thanks a lot!.  I'm making sure I download all the other latest forms also. 


FloranteNlauraMale02013-10-14 11:28:00
PhilippinesI-765 Forms for K1/K2

Starting to fill out I-765 Employment Auth., however, neither my wife or my step kids have any SSN # yet.  My wife has her Alien Registration # from NOA2 which I can put on block 10 of her I-765.  But for the kids, without SSN # or A-#, it's asking for I-94 Number which we have, however, in trying to input the I-94 into block 10 -  it cannot accept more than nine (9) characters.  I-94 consists of 11 characters mostly numbers. What I am thinking is just writing it in pen after the forms are printed out.  Any suggestions or help is welcomed.. Thanks in advance


FloranteNlauraMale02013-10-13 15:51:00
PhilippinesAdministrative processing delay time after interview for K1

I spoke to someone at the embassy 8/15/13 and was told they got the NBI with AKA, but still waiting for HK clearance. So we contacted HK police by phone and email. Whoa!!!! they mailed the HK clearance on 7/30 and arrived Philippines 8/2/13. It's a registered letter. So now I am really getting concerned grrr! Emailed the embassy asking for clarification as to the status of HK clearance. They will reply in 7 working days. Weekend passed by and then typhoon closing and holiday 8/19-21. Still nothing. I'll wait Wednesday next week for an email response. Looks like we got caught up in AP black hole.

FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-23 09:36:00
PhilippinesAdministrative processing delay time after interview for K1

My fiancee received 221(g) on 8/1 for a new NBI with AKA, and awaiting HK police clearance. New NBI was submitted via 2go 8/6.  Then status was updated 8/8 (receipt of new NBI....stil in AP). We called HK last week and was informed HK clearance was sent directly to the US Embassy.  Friday 8/9 was a holiday.  Latest update shows 8/12 (must have received HK clearance already....stil in AP).  Yeah it's getting antsy....just waiting patiently........


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-12 19:57:00
PhilippinesH0TELS in Manila
I know these are mostly close to the US Embassy/SLEC. But what about hotels near the airport when you've got your visa and ready to fly out of the country? Any recommendations on hotels near the airport? Thanks in advance.
FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-31 10:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 Visa REFUSED and READY

Did you have K2 (child) included with the K1 filing?.    MNLXXX 02 would be the K2?


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-05 18:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDenied I-129f even though I withdrew first application

If I were you, I'd get rid of the lawyer.....They'll just keep charging you.  You are already right here in this forum and maybe you can transfer to the specific country (Vietnam has its own regional forum).  Plenty of help/advice/guides available for you.  You need to file an IMBRA waiver.  Again, no help from the lawyer.  I have a format to use if you're interested.  Best of luck to you.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-08-09 20:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHelp and Advise needed

If her birth certificate does not indicate the father's name, then don't put it on the G-325A.  Documents like birth certficates, G-325A must match exactly.


FloranteNlauraMale02013-06-25 10:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIndividual income tax return. 2 Types??

1040 is for filing with itemized deductions while 1040A is called the short form with no itemized deductions.  Go to irs.gov and request for a tax transcript.  IRS will then mail the official tax form on record that was officially filed with the irs. Hope this helps.

Good luck!


FloranteNlauraMale02013-06-25 10:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPaying the K1 Visa Application fee.

You are K-1 so it's only $240.00. But BPI will only take Php 10,320.00 cash for payment, provided you have your MNL Case #, Visa deposit slip and passport. Good luck!

FloranteNlauraMale02013-07-06 13:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE question

My recommendation: drop the lawyer. Do it yourself with plenty of guides on this site. You won't know what is needed until you get the RFE letter from USCIS, which will tell you exactly what they need with time limitations. Good luck.

FloranteNlauraMale02013-07-07 09:50:00