ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesProviding receipts of money sent to fiancee during interview

I am the USC who is petitioning for my fiancee .  When I sent our I-129F I did not send any WU or Xoom receipts for frontloading .  I was afraid that it might be misinterpreted differently by USCIS or US embassy as I have read different opinions whether to send or not to send.  For those who already have their interviewed at the Manila embassy, is it a good idea when she goes for the interview to give these receipts as further proof of ongoing relationship?  I have been sending her money every month since our relationship started .  Thanks for any advice.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-08-25 05:25:00
PhilippinesIntroduced by a relative: Is this a red flag?

I was doing advance searches on VJ when I came up with topics that being introduced by a relative to a future fiance/fiancee can be a red flag. In my case I am kind of worry about this. I met my fiancee last year when I went home to the Philippines.  I (USC) was introduced by my uncle to my fiancee.  The next 11 months we spent the time everyday chatting online and our love developed. In April of this year I went home and spent next three weeks with my fiancee, met her family and she met mine and we got engaged during our engagement party.  

 

Will this be an issue to the USEM that I met her via my uncle?  Should I have my uncle write an affidavit about our meeting? Should I have my fiancee friend's or my coworkers write affidavit to show that our relationship is genuine?

 

Will the following proof be enough to prove our ongoing relationship?  Hundreds of facebook chat logs, her postings and my postings on each other's facebook wall with our pictures together taken during skype sessions with date of postings showing up,  skype logs, a few emails ( we dont email each other much), greeting cards I sent via LBC.  Receipt of Johnny air or LBC packages I sent , flower and bear sent during Valentines day with a receipt from Paypal as well as the vendor , Facetime screen shots, some Google voice and Skype voice call logs.  

 

We also did travel together to various places in the Philippines and we have plane stubs to proved that we were together.  We have lots of pictures together from the various places we visited as well as pictures of our engagement party. There are pictures of me with her family . We went to Singapore and have passport stamps to prove our trip as well as plane boarding pass.

 

If needed I have xoom or western union receipts of money I sent her ,but Im not submitting this since USEM might construe this differently.  And just to be sure, I am going with her to USEM during her interview. 

 

Do you guys think we have a strong case to prove our ongoing relationship?


Edited by geff44, 30 August 2013 - 08:34 AM.

geff44MalePhilippines2013-08-30 08:28:00
PhilippinesE-Ticket paid in cash on Travel Agency, any issues?

i also have an e-ticket from United Airline and they told me the travel tax i already included...so need to pay terminal fee only.

 

I just have some concern because my husband told me to get the ticket from the united airline booth at the airport aside from the itinerary e-ticket that they've sent me via email. 

 

so since its my first time, i would like to ask what to do about this. Are there tickets given at the airport really? or eticket will do?

 

When you check in, just show them your passport . Your name should be in their system and you are good to go.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-09-01 02:52:00
PhilippinesIt is ok for my fiancee to take birth control pills before her medical exam at St. Lukes?

We are still waiting for our I-129f approval but I am planning ahead of time.  My fiancee and I have plans to have kids once she has adjusted and settle down in the USA. The last time I visited her, she took contraceptive pills a week prior to my visit in the Philippines.  I am going home to the Philippines the day before her interview at USEM . She will have her physical exam at St. Lukes a week prior and I suggested she start taking the contraceptive pills during this time.  Will this be an issue with her medical? TIA.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-09-27 07:17:00
PhilippinesAnother trip to Phil - driving in Phil

This year when I went home, I got an international license from AAA.  Cost me 15 dollars.  It is good for a year.  You must bring your state issued driver's license together with this international license.  I don't know how driving in Baguio is but definitely I would not attempt to drive in Metro Manila.  I did drive in Davao City, which is a less crowded city than Manila,   for a day. It was an adventure even for me,  who was born and raised in the Philippines :).   If I were you , I would take an airconditioned bus to Baguio or take the plane to Baguio City. It will be less of a hassle and stress for you and your lady.  Good luck.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-09-27 17:59:00
PhilippinesHow far in advance can I schedule the interview at USEM?

Thanks for the info Hank.  I am glad to know it can be extended.  


geff44MalePhilippines2013-10-08 16:31:00
PhilippinesHow far in advance can I schedule the interview at USEM?

I just got the hard copy of the RFE today  requested by TSC . Assuming everything else  is in order, our I-129f will be approve soon.  Here is my dilemma, I work in a hospital and only one staff member in our dept. is allowed to take a vacation. I want to attend my fiancee interview.  I am hoping that we can fly back together .  December and January are basically taken by my co-workers so the earliest I can fly to the Philippines is February .  Assuming the I-129f is approve by Nov. do you guys think I can book Feb. for the interview date?


geff44MalePhilippines2013-10-07 18:51:00
PhilippinesWhat ITR year to submit?

I received the hard copy of our NOA2 approval the other day ... just waiting to get the #MNL number before proceeding.  I am eyeing to schedule my fiancee's interview for February 2014.  My question is regarding the income tax return year.  Can I submit 2012 or do I have to use 2013 ITR? The place I work usually sends out W2 form late Jan. or  Feb  Im worried I will not be able to use 2013 as I will be in the Philippines by Feb.  Any input is appreciated.  


geff44MalePhilippines2013-10-31 05:05:00
Philippinesnot sure what to do next

Today my fiance had her interview but she asked for a tagalog translator but wasn't given one so she tried to answer the questions but was told she wasn't answering it right so they told her to have me call the Embassy. Have anyone had this situation? I called and he said wait for the letter. Does that mean we got denied? I'm going crazy thinking what went wrong and and what's our next step.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

There was another case where the  consul did not allow an interpreter.  Here is the link of the  embassy review : http://www.visajourn...php?entry=13055  .  Now I am worried since my fiancee prefer to answer the questions in Tagalog.  How do both of you communicate ?  If I were you I would call the embassy and inquire why they did not provide an interpreter when there is an option for it.  Please keep us updated and good luck.  Hope things will work out for you guys.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-10-24 06:44:00
PhilippinesTax transcript issue

I am gathering all the documents needed for my fiancee's interview.  I have not schedule the interview yet since I am waiting for the MNL number from NVC.  I got my divorced finalized from my ex wife back in January of 2013.  For the tax year 2012 we filed as married joint as shown on the 2012 tax transcript. I am also including W2 from 2012 and will send a letter from my employer. Both our names appear on the transcript with my current home address.  I am also sending a  certified original copy of the final dissolution of my previous marriage. Will her name on the transcript and filing joint married  present a red flag or issue to the consulate in Manila ?


geff44MalePhilippines2013-11-10 00:39:00
PhilippinesHow current should the NBI and Cenomar be?

We just got our MNL number and Im about to have my fiancee pay for the visa application fee.  We are looking for a Feb. 2014 interview for her.  Is it too early for her to get her NBI and Cenomar now? Thanks in advance for any advice.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-11-18 18:15:00
PhilippinesHelp in setting up interview at USEM online.

I mean jeff, what date on February is your fiancees interview?

 

Feb. 18  . :)


geff44MalePhilippines2013-11-21 04:00:00
PhilippinesHelp in setting up interview at USEM online.

Thank you for the  clarification.  I was able to make an appointment for her interview.  Now she can do her medical and CFO while waiting for her Feb. interview. 


geff44MalePhilippines2013-11-20 17:37:00
PhilippinesHelp in setting up interview at USEM online.

We are following Hank's guide to setup my fiancee's interview  and we are just confused as to what receipt number to use.  My fiancee printed out the deposit slip for the $240 fee prior to going at BPI.   She paid the fee and was given a receipt.  Now what throws me off is what receipt number to use to schedule the interview.  Is it the deposit slip that she printed that says "receipt number" ( about 9 digits)  or the non descript BPI receipt that was given to her after she made payment.  TIA.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-11-20 04:36:00
PhilippinesMaking online appointment at SLEC

I am about to make an online appointment for my fiancee at St Lukes for her medical.  Under petitioner's info on relationship of the applicant to the petitioner there is only a choice of fiancee, no fiance.  Do I choose this? Thanks for any advice.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-11-22 08:34:00
PhilippinesGot my MNL case number for my fiancé what's next?

I know that this has been asked and answered. But I just want to start a new thread about this topic for those people who are currently in this situation, like me. 

 

I called NVC and they gave me the MNL case number for my fiancé. I asked him what's next and he told me that it is now all up to US manila embassy.

Our case was forwarded to manila on october 29, 2013. Until now we're still waiting for the us manila embassy to send us the invitation letter.

 

Its been a month and I'm already worried. Should we still be waiting for the letter or we can go on with the process already and get an appointment for interview? 

 

Anyone who experienced this, please be patient with me and inform me with the step by step process that we should take. 

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

 

As already been said by another member you can make an appointment now for the interview right after the payment for BPI has been made.  Follow this  link ( thanks Hank  smile.png ) for the next steps once you have the MNL number handy : http://visaconnectio...ilippines.com/#

 

When she goes to pay at BPI make sure she brings her Philippine Passport . My fiancee was asked about it .  Fortunately she brought it with her.  I read from another post that another member was asked about it too. Good luck.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-11-23 19:22:00
PhilippinesOctober 2013 NOA2's --> NVC received dates

Got our MNL number  today dancin5hr.gif .  Took 9 days from the time TSC mailed our case to NVC. Hoping those still waiting get theirs soon.  Good luck.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-11-18 18:07:00
PhilippinesOctober 2013 NOA2's --> NVC received dates

TSC

NOA2 received 10/25

NVC just for it today 11/14

 

Did your status at TSC changed to indicate that they shipped your case to NVC?  If yes when did they ship it.  I have a notice date of 10/23 from TSC and got a text from TSC that they shipped our case to NVC on 11.8.13.  However NVC has not receive our case yet.  Thanks.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-11-15 20:19:00
PhilippinesWhat to expect at NAIA

 

What exit fee???

I am only aware of the 550p airport terminal fee...please advise.

 

It is a travel tax that the Philippine government imposes on Filipino citizen when leaving the country.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-12-08 09:49:00
PhilippinesCenomar issue

My fiancee just got her CENOMAR from the local NSO office.  I noticed that on the part of the letter that says purpose of CENOMAR it says Visa (New Jersey)... New Jersey is misspelled : New Jersy.   Will this be as an issue with the Manila US Embassy?  Everything else checks out.  Thanks in advance for your input.


geff44MalePhilippines2014-01-30 07:24:00
PhilippinesPrintable copies of W-2

Are printable copies of W-2 accepted by the US embassy, specifically Manila USEM?  My fiancee will have her interview this Feb. 2014.   I have the hardcopy of 2012 W-2. However for the previous years and  2013 (still waiting for my employer to mail out the hardcopy), I had to download the W-2s from my employer's website and print it out.  I also  have  ITR from 2010 to 2012 that IRS sent me.  Is this good enough or will they ask for the W-2? 


geff44MalePhilippines2014-01-31 06:59:00
PhilippinesHotels in Davo

My fiancee is from Davao .  She said Hotel Sychar is walking distance from the NBI office near Victoria Plaza which is a big mall in Davao City.  Price is reasonable. The NSO office is in Cabaguio St.   You can take a taxi cab to get there.  I dont know if you are flying to Davao City but the airport is not that far from either of  these goverment offices.  It is just the traffic that you have to be aware of especially now that the mayor of Davao has lower the speed limit.


geff44MalePhilippines2014-02-08 18:31:00
PhilippinesHi my supportive VJ family, pls help...

I would like to ask about requirements for interview. Thank you.. Which papers should be photocopied, scanned or need to be the original when you bring for interview.

 

I was just with my fiancee today for her interview at the USEM.  On the small piece of paper given to her with her assigned number, the following needs to be original:

 

a) Birth Certificate

b) NBI clearance 

c) CENOMAR

d) Proof of ongoing relationship.

e) Form I-134

 

The W-2 and the 1040 can be photocopies. The Filipino consul who collected these requirement did not ask for the original of my divorce decree but she provided a certified copy just to be sure.  


geff44MalePhilippines2014-02-18 06:49:00
PhilippinesPetitioner at interview?

 A friend of mine is going through the K1 process.  He was told that starting January 1, 2014 the petitioner is no longer allowed to attend the visa interview at the embassy.  Is there any truth to this?  Thanks in advance.

 

I attended my fiancee's interview today at USEM , 2.18.2014.  I had no problem accompanying her to the entire process.  The only time I was told to take a seat was when she was interviewed by the American Consul. He told me he will call me if he had any questions.


geff44MalePhilippines2014-02-18 06:39:00
PhilippinesWhat will be the POE for this route?
I'm looking for one way tickets for next week : Manila to LAX. Cheapest I have seen is United Airlines. This route has Guam for the first stopover, then Honolulu and final destination of LAX. Now my question is which will be the POE? How long give and take does it take for my fiancee to get thru the POE?
geff44MalePhilippines2014-02-26 04:35:00
PhilippinesVISA ready for Pick-up!! :)
Congrats! My fiancee went also from AP to issue on Tuesday. Feb 25. While we were in MOA, we checked the 2go office on Feb 26 as we opted for her visa to be picked up at that office. We were told they don't have it yet and call back the next day When I called yesterday around 4:30 pm a lady told me they have not received it yet. An hour later my fiancée got a text that it is ready for pick up. It also updated on 2go tracking site. It took a total of 10 days from interview to picking up the visa. Finally all the waiting is over.
geff44MalePhilippines2014-02-27 13:27:00
PhilippinesK-1 approve. Thank you so much VJ family

This is a bump.. sorta. Interview was Feb 24th and was approved. On 26th ceac updated to AP. The next day on the 27th updated to issue. It is now monday Mar 3rd and still just issued with no txt from 2go. Tracking says invalid. Called 2go and was told to call back after 6pm philippine time. Anyone else waiting long for their visa after issued status? We opted for sm-moa pickup.



You should be getting the visa soon. We also opted for pickup at MOA. It was on AP for 3 days per CEAC website. 2Go tracking had it invalid until they texted us it was ready for pickup. On the 25th of Feb. it went to issue. Got a text from 2Go on the 27th of Feb. My fiancee and I picked up the visa on the 28th. This is the local phone number for the 2Go office at MOA (02)901-1404. Call after 5 pm to check if they have receive the visa from USEM. Good luck.


geff44MalePhilippines2014-03-03 16:27:00
PhilippinesK-1 approve. Thank you so much VJ family
I was with my fiancee during her interview at USEM last Feb 18. The actual process took less than 30 min combined. But the waiting was long. Almost 8 hours! Lol we brought with us lots of documents of our proof of ongoing relationship ,but only the usual paperwork were asked: Birth Cert, NBI, Cenomar, affidavit of support form with a copy of my 2012 w2 and ITR. I also gave the Fil consul the original certified copy of my divorce paper. They did not bother looking at our pictures. When my fiancee was called by the American Consul he saw me and I was told to have a seat. He will call me if he has any questions. I was seated right infront of him and i can hear his questions to my fiancee. He only asked a few questions : when did we meet? How did we meet? What was i doing in the philippines the first time we met? What did we do on the 3 weeks I visited her the second time. Thats it. He did not say if the visa was approved. All he said was thats all the questions and wait for the window to call her number. At the window for 2go I ask if we were approve and was told most likely since the consul kept the pp and no further documents were needed.

Our CEAC status first 3 days was ready then went to AP for 2 more days and finally issued yesterday. We are just waiting for 2go to text us as we opted for the visa ro be pick up at MOA. Thanks again for all the help and advice. Our journey is almost over.


geff44MalePhilippines2014-02-25 17:11:00
PhilippinesHi pls help .??

The last time I checked visa status it says "ISSUED" its now three days. I just track my passport five minutes ago it says "Your passport is still with post"... What do you mean by that? Does it mean its ready for shipping? I dont understand. Pls help me decipher.

Thank you vj members. More power to our visa journey??

It means that passport is still with the US embassy.  Try tracking it at 2 Go website.  You should be getting it soon.  


geff44MalePhilippines2014-03-16 09:57:00
PhilippinesHow Long to Get the Visa After Interview? for K1

 
Congrats to you too! 
My fiance still has to get the CFO sticker, she already has the certificate so we will try to get it the day before the flight.
I am flying over so I can fly back with her on Good Friday so I hope the CFO office is open on thursday (maundy thursday)
going to call the CFO office today and find outgood luck to you!





After we picked up my fiancee Pp with the package at 2go, we went directly to the CFO office at around 2 pm. Took about one hour just to get the sticker since there was a que when we got there. Total time did not include traffic getting there and going to our destination. Manila traffic is horrible. Lucky for us that my cousin drove us to the CFO office and he knew the traffic flow in Metro Manila. This was at the end of Feb of this year so I dont know how the trafific at this time so give yourself plenty of time.


geff44MalePhilippines2014-03-23 12:03:00
PhilippinesHow Long to Get the Visa After Interview? for K1

 
YEs its approved by american consul.and there is NO documents asked..i choose delivery then my status in CEAC is now ISSUED. so maybe only few step i will get it ,,,i wish i will receive it soon thank you so much for your answer god bless


We opted for pickup at the 2Go office Mall of Asia. From the time it was posted at CEAC as ISSUED it took 2 business days . track it at 2GO site. You will have it soon. Congrats !??

geff44MalePhilippines2014-03-23 11:53:00
PhilippinesHow Long to Get the Visa After Interview? for K1

How Long to get the visa after interview? FOR K1, My interview date last  MARCH 11, 2014 until now i did not yet receive it.im worried already huhuhuhu thank you for your answers i deeply appreciated god bless us vj members!


Was it approved by the embassy (i.e. no additional documents asked) after the interview? Did you choose pickup from 2Go or delivery? Check the CEAC status as posted above. I know it is a long journey but you should be getting it anytime soon. Best of luck.

geff44MalePhilippines2014-03-23 08:16:00
PhilippinesSending paperwork
We have used LBC both ways to send documents and had no issues whatsoever. Avg time about 5 to 6 days NJ to Davao or the other way around.
geff44MalePhilippines2014-03-23 09:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2013 Filers

Filed on July 22, 2013 and acknowledged receipt by TSC July 24.  Received NOA1 hardcopy five days later.  I am just wondering why our application is being processed by TSC  when it should have been VSC.  I don't see anything on the receipt that it is going to be processed or transfer to VSC.  


geff44MalePhilippines2013-08-16 08:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportshelp

Where did you send the documents?  Did you send it via regular mail (USPS)?  I sent mine thru FEDEX via 2 days delivery and got an email confirmation within 3 days after submission.  I received the NOA1 letter in a week.  


geff44MalePhilippines2013-10-09 23:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsi need some advice

hello,

im new here.,  but i always visiting this site when my fiancee & i starting to enggage. My fiancee from Michigan, we started processing our paper last July 2013 and he receive a notipaction of reciept or reciept no from USCIS last August 20, 2013. But after that we never recieve any update or what we need to do next.., we both new in this procedure so, we both don't know how long we need to wait for new update. If somebody out there can help us?! thanks and GodBless!!!

 

Just be patient and wait for the Notice of Action 2 (NOA2) approval from USCIS. Did you sign up at USCIS.gov site to be notified by email , by text or both to see the status of your case?  I filed in July too at Texas Service Center. I got a noticed of change in receipt number Aug. 29  and just got a noticed September 30 that they sent a request for evidence (RFE) on our case.  Right now im just waiting for the letter of RFE.  Good luck and God bless.


Edited by geff44, 05 October 2013 - 04:30 AM.

geff44MalePhilippines2013-10-05 04:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHow do I answer this RFE?

I got an RFE for not completing the criminality question of the I-129f (page 3 part C question 2).  I want to mail this RFE as soon as possible but I am not so clear how to answer it.  It says to indicate a Yes or a No answer.   It looks like I have to either place a check mark or an X mark on the provided space but I want to make sure I do it the right way. Or do I write NO on it?  Has anyone been on the same situation before?  Thanks in advance.

Attached Files


Edited by geff44, 12 October 2013 - 04:59 AM.

geff44MalePhilippines2013-10-12 04:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSt Lukes Strategy

I was wondering the same, my fiancee is from Iligan in Mindanao. and we are leaning towards making 2 trips to Manila.

 

Now I need to figure out what to do about the CFO seminar and when to fit that in. Will they give you the sticker from CFO prior to having your visa? If not will they mail it to you? I do not want to have to do a third trip to Manila just to get the CFO sticker.

 

 From what I have read in this forum the sticker is given only after she receives the visa.

 

My fiancee is from Davao City too good.gif .  She has no relatives in the Metro Manila so I have decided to book her a hotel close to St Lukes.  I have also requested her older sister to accompany her.   Also to save time, she will do the CFO  seminar after her physical.  I don't want her to be all alone in Manila especially for someone from the province.  After she has done both things, she will go back home to Davao and wait for her interview to fly back. 

 

If everything goes well I will be flying and meeting her in Manila for her interview .


geff44MalePhilippines2013-10-05 13:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHelp!

Hi everyone.. i'm just new here, just need some help. My fiancee submit the alien fiancee visa last April 04, 2013. And last two weeks ago we are already at Request for evidence REsponse Review for almost a month and we waited for 30-60days for that. Then suddenly, last week it gets back to Initial Review, and we are expecting that we should be on Decision right now. why it's taking too long for us to wait for it??. please give me some advice or if you have the same problems like us. Thank you! smile.png)

 

As what have been said did you submit the RFE and they acknowledged the receipt of it?  What was the RFE about if you don't mind me asking?  I had an RFE too issued by TSC ( forgot to answer one question on the I-129f form).  A week after they received the RFE requested our I-129f was approved .  Good luck.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-10-27 05:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsafter NOA2 whats NEXT?

Thank you all VJErs for all the posted experiences and helpful tips, we just received our NOA2, after that what will be the next steps/ procedures for me and my fiance... thanks everyoneâ¥â¥â¥

 

Wow you got yours so fast.  Congratulations ! I got our approval too last week.  Next step is to wait for that Manila number then follow this guide by Hank : http://visaconnectio...ilippines.com/#  .  Now for that MNL number I suggest you start calling the National Visa Center as per that link a gave you.  Personally I will give them two weeks from the time we get the hard copy of the NOA2 before I start bugging them devil.gif    Good luck.


geff44MalePhilippines2013-10-27 05:10:00