ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesVia KOREA?
OH geeze! Thank you for the overwhelming replies. I will just have to call my travel agency and verify the information I have collected here.

We are still open for your concrete views on this matter.

Merry Christmas everyone.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2009-12-22 00:40:00
PhilippinesVia KOREA?

My fiance and I were browsing on POSSIBLE flights to consider in going to Seattle. He wanted me to take Korean Air as it is the same airline he used when he visited me. According to him, Korean air really has a very decent and exquisite accommodation.

The question is, will there be a problem with Korean Immigration if I'll have to take the flight from Cebu to Korea- Korea to Seattle considering one has to stay there for 10 hours during the stop over? Worse case, Will I have to pay for my stay? (Philippines is NOT INCLUDED in the list of countries that can stay for free in Korea for a period of 3 months even without a visa)
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2009-12-21 12:24:00
PhilippinesK1 Interview
USEM Reviews This link might help you. Before I left for Manila, I read several experiences applicable to our case, it boosted my confidence knowing the possible questions that will be raised by the consul, anticipating the process flow that will have to be followed, and that lots of applicants were approved despite certain issues.

Good Luck on your interview! Go for the pink
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-20 13:49:00
PhilippinesK1 Interview
I arrived in USEM at 6AM and the whole process took only 3 and a half hours. I was out from the embassy at around 9:30AM. It's still on case to case basis, some consulates are very meticulous about the documents, although there are some who will only ask few questions and will already give a verdict after 3-5 minutes or less.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-20 13:45:00
PhilippinesYour age difference..Could it be a problem?

That being said, Vicky and I are only 4 years difference. Not everyone here has such a large age split.


My fiance and I are in our 20s, having 4 years age difference just like you. I still believe that age won't matter as long as you love each other and are willing to withstand all the challenges that come your way.

I still believe in DESTINY. :blush:
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-21 03:56:00
PhilippinesLDR's or Long-Distance Relationships
Its just normal for LDRs to have ups and downs in between. PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE has always been a very good asset to keep your relationship standing still. Look things on the brighter side, time flies by, make use of the time loving your partner more. Be creative in showing your love to him/ her, and like any other relationships, the more challenges you have surpassed together, the stronger the relationship will be.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-21 05:51:00
PhilippinesyES!!!!! WE GOT THE INTERVIEW DATE!!!!!
WOhooo!! Congratulations and all the best for the interview :dance:
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-21 05:49:00
PhilippinesMedical Examination Discrepancy (Manila)
Its only in rare cases that the consul will look into the medical results. Based on my observations, what matters to the consul are the documents of relationship that you will bring during the visa interview.

On the good side, SLMEC sealed and gave your fiance the CD, thats a good enough proof that you passed. Also, I agree with the above post, its best that if the consul will mention anything about the medical, let her explain in details her situation so the consul won't be able to form misconceptions in his/her head.

All for the best! Good luck on your interview.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-21 05:59:00
Philippineswhen is best time to go to St Lukes????
The guards told me that usually there are more people lining up in the morning than in the afternoon. I went there at exactly 1pm and I was able to finish everything at 3PM for the first day. I was asked to go back the next day at 2PM to get the results.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-22 10:24:00
Philippinesfinished day one of medical
Oh yes Congratulations!

When she arrives there, she has to show her receipt to the guards. One of the guards will check it and will be the one to inform her if she is qualified to take her vaccinations.

Tell her not to freak out if the guards will say, her records aren't found in their system yet. Normally, if the results are okay, they will just ask her to proceed to the second floor and wait for further announcements.

After vaccination, she has to wait downstairs (1st floor) for the final process. Two of staff will be interviewing her, one to collect all her medical results (she will be asked about her medical details), second, to give her the cd for x-ray as well as the final checking of her results (she will be asked about her interview date).

Good Luck on your visa interview! :dance:
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-25 20:58:00
PhilippinesyahOOooo! got the visa in my hand today!
Oh that sucks for me we both have the same interview date but I still don't have my visa.

CONGRATULATIONS GIRL!!!!
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-22 10:40:00
PhilippinesJanuary 19 interview
Thanks Jakriss :P

We both made it yay! I guess that day is "luck" for the both of us. I will have my CFO Seminar tomorrow. Hopefully, I can finish it when the day ends.

Have a safe flight too. I'll have mine on February 3. :dance:
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-26 04:19:00
PhilippinesJanuary 19 interview
We felt the same way Dain. We were so scared that the visa won't arrive this week since we have already purchased a ticket for February 3. I'm sure theres no problem with your fiancee's visa just that some ungrateful people in USEM are delaying it.

Just a thought.. Keep calling the embassy so they will be reminded of your case everyday.

Edited by GuardianAngel, 25 January 2010 - 07:32 AM.

GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-25 07:31:00
PhilippinesJanuary 19 interview
WOW ARBIND.ARIADNE YOU LITTLE ANGEL YOU! hehe

My fiance and I are just freaking out because he already asked for a day off from his NEW job on the day of my arrival in Seattle. Its the only long weekend he's allowed to schedule aside from our wedding, of course, I still want us to have a long long long honeymoon. :rolleyes: Plus, we already booked a ticket! QQ

It seems that most people are having the said dilemma. Guess I will just stay at home and welcome AIR21 with a red carpet and a big tarpaulin saying "GOOD JOB FOR MAKING US WORRIED!" joke. :jest:
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-22 12:40:00
PhilippinesJanuary 19 interview
Thank you PhilandShir. My fiance and I are just freaking out because we already booked a ticket on the February 3 even before receiving the visa. We both know its not advisable but we just want to take our chances of spending time together on Valentines Day. Worse case scenario (God Forbids), I'll just have to call Korean air before the scheduled date of departure to rebook the ticket.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-22 10:56:00
PhilippinesJanuary 19 interview
Jakriss (sage1's fiance) and I have the same interview date and she just informed us earlier that she already got her visa. As soon as I knew about this, I immediately entered my tracking number in the air 21 website but it gives the same result over and over again "tracking number not found."

What are the chances?

Edited by GuardianAngel, 22 January 2010 - 10:47 AM.

GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-22 10:45:00
PhilippinesAnyone else waiting for their visa?

Date of Interview Status

Jakriss :whistle: January 19, 2009 :whistle: Visa Received

GuardianAngel :whistle: January 19, 2009 :whistle: VISA RECEIVED

DainandVicky :whistle: January 14, 2009 :whistle: VISA RECEIVED


CONGRATULATIONS TO THE THREE OF US! :thumbs: :dance:
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-27 09:22:00
PhilippinesAnyone else waiting for their visa?
I have thanked VJ a lot of times, but its only now that I have really tasted whats it like to be happy after a long haul of worries and longings, I told myself that if its not for VJ, things would have been difficult for us. THANK YOU SO MUCH VJ MEMBERS! I RECEIVED MY VISA TODAY at 12:30PM!!
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-25 23:31:00
PhilippinesAnyone else waiting for their visa?
I called up air21 cebu and suggested that I will just pick up the visa but the cs told me "USEM does not encourage pick up of shipments," so I guess i'll just wait for it tomorrow to arrive at my doorstep.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-25 00:25:00
PhilippinesAnyone else waiting for their visa?
Date of Interview Status

Jakriss :whistle: January 19, 2009 :whistle: Visa Received

GuardianAngel :whistle: January 19, 2009 :whistle: Shipment information received by Gateway

DainandVicky :whistle: January 14, 2009 :whistle: Waiting for the delivery
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-25 00:16:00
PhilippinesAnyone else waiting for their visa?
As far as the visa delivery is concerned, I am pretty sure lots of us are apprehensive and irked about the dragging process of the visa delivery. Lets post here and see each one's progress about this particular process. I will post the names of those I know who are still waiting for their visa.

Date of Interview Status

Jakriss :whistle: January 19, 2009 :whistle: Visa Received

GuardianAngel :whistle: January 19, 2009 :whistle: Waiting for the delivery

DainandVicky :whistle: January 14, 2009 :whistle: Waiting for the delivery

Edited by GuardianAngel, 23 January 2010 - 10:15 AM.

GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-23 10:13:00
PhilippinesCEBU CFO

hello thanks for sharing your CFO experience in CEBU, by the way may i know the exact location of place where you attended the seminar?

my friend is planning to have her CFO SEMINAR in CEBU? are there hotels nearest on that place too?

thanks ANd GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!


I live in Cebu so it was just easy for me to drive myself to the seminar but for those who are still planning to have their seminar:

1) The location of the center is at MANGO AVE - just in front of the University of San Carlos Boys High, Near the Iglesia ni Cristo Church. IF you will be riding a cab, just mention the landmarks to the driver can take you to the right place. I don't know whats the puj code in going there though, but if you are staying near the place its best to just take a cab or walk.. consider it an exercise.

2) The CFO seminar in Cebu usually takes 7-8 hours average. However, if you are lucky to be given counselling first, then you will still have time to go to the CFO office... I guess its best to just book 2 days of hotel accommodation.

3) Search the internet for hotels NEAR the Fuente Osmena Circle. Some of the hotels that I know of are Midtown Hotel, Elegant Circle Inn, Palladium Suites, Mango Park Hotel..

I was wondering myself, why is there a need to provide the certificate? but it was only when I listened to the nun's explanation that I was able to understand. SOME FOREIGNER PARTNERS claim to be single in the Philippines when they have already petitioned lots of women in the past whom they treated unfavorably. The CFO has a master list of all the people taking up the seminar along with the names of their petitioner, once the name of the petitioner is repeated having the same purpose of filing for a visa, the computer captures it and will give them a red flag. The certificate of singleness will serve as proof so that if situations like this will arise, CFO can always show the affidavit/certificate sworn upon by the foreigner fiance/fiancee. This will only happen in 1 out of a 100 cases though but its their job to check. As what they say, "we are only protecting the welfare of our people so they won't fall into a TRAP OF BOILING WATER."
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-27 11:40:00
PhilippinesCEBU CFO
I arrived at St. Mary's Center for Overseas at 9:30 AM. I immediately reached for the door and approached the person-in-charge. She asked me to fill-out the CFO form and asked for my birth certificate and my fiance's, I explained to them that my fiance is still very young (early 20s), thus, I cannot provide them his Certificate of singleness, fortunately, they accepted my reason. I was then informed that the session started already and I was 15min late, but gladly, they still allowed me to participate. As soon as I entered the door, I greeted the nun and politely said sorry for my late arrival. She just smiled and continued with the discussion.

Basically, its was a mixture of people leaving for different countries like Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, and only 7 of us were leaving for the US.

The discussion was light, I was even amazed that we didn't have the film showing. We were just told about some stuff regarding relationships and likewise, things to expect in the US. We were also given a brief introduction about the departure procedures as well as the immigration concerns and issues.

At 1:00PM, we started waiting for our names to be called for the one-on-one counselling. I was called at 4PM and the nun just asked basic questions about our relationship. I got my certificate of participation almost 5PM. I still have to go back to the CFO office tomorrow for the sticker.

Our names were called by group. The participants who will be going to the US were interviewed first. We were thinking US participants could finish the seminar early but we got it all wrong because every session lasted for almost an hour depending on the issues and concerns being raised.

Some participants were so disappointed because they were asked to bring along their parents the following day, for the marriage consent, most of them were 19-21 yrs old married/engaged to 40ish -50ish partners. There were some who weren't given the certificate because they didn't know the address of their fiances, their numbers, as well as their job information.

My advice: Just be prepared with the necessary documents and try to entertain the nun with your love stories so she can give you the certificate. Although we can consider this process as an "accessory" but we have to face it, without the certificate, we wont be given the sticker, and without the sticker, we wont be allowed to depart the country..
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-27 09:14:00
PhilippinesWhere's the _________ visa already?
Finally!!!! Congratulations Dain.. We told you so :P

Yay! Lots of people will be flying to the US on February! woooooooooooooho
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-27 09:18:00
PhilippinesSomething wrong with my fiance's visa
Hey sage1 :P

Because I got so concerned about this issue, I voluntarily asked the nun holding the seminar about your concern since the topic was about the possible issues that may arise during arrival.

She said its better safe than sorry. I don't know if that was an accurate answer but she added it's best to call the embassy and inform them about this tiny revision. Possible outcome would be: 1) Jakriss will just have to inform the immigration officer upon her arrival at the POE about your change of address and they will just note it in their file 2) Worse case (which I think is not possible) Jakriss' visa will be sent back for corrections.

To me, the nuns are not credible enough to make these intuitions since they are just tasked to handle the seminars but I just want to share what she said. Anyway, the final decision lies in your hands. Still I personally believe, this won't be an issue.

Regards to the both of you.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-27 11:55:00
PhilippinesSomething wrong with my fiance's visa
Hello sage1. Congratulations again to the both of you.

Its best to just call the embassy and verify about this particular case, just my opinion though.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-23 10:46:00
PhilippinesShipping Items from Phil. to the USA
I used to send stuff for my fiance during special occasions (Cebu to Seattle). I used TNT and so far there were no problems. But if you will send books, might as well use the postal service.

Regards :star:
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-25 22:01:00
PhilippinesHow did u present your pictures during the interview?

You were going to put glitter and stickers on the page and make it a glittery mess until I stopped you.


LOL BABY! :innocent: Yeah and one thing to note too, I kept insisting on putting comments beneath the photos. But my fiance (guardianone) insisted, I should maintain the formality and simplicity of my presentation.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-23 22:26:00
PhilippinesHow did u present your pictures during the interview?

hi i think you will present only ten pictures. anyways did you recieve any packet from embassy before on your interview? i am much confuse about that packet they said? do you have any idea about that? when we will get that before on our visa interview or after our visa interview? thanks and more power


lo's


There are no more packets that will be sent to your end until your visa interview. The important document that should be in your possession at this time are the letter from USEM bearing your MNL case number, Noa1, and Noa2 letter of receipt.

I submitted more than 300 photos during my interview. I segregated it into two albums and pasted 3 - 4 photos in each page. The binder that I used was flexible enough to fit inside the small window. Also, I wasn't asked about our hotel receipts, letter of employment, not even chat logs / email transcripts.. The consul just asked for my photo albums and based his questions in the I-129 attachments that we submitted few months ago.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-23 09:59:00
Philippineshelp with address please
Also, since my address was kinda long, my fiance had to manually write it using a black pen. It was accepted by the USCIS and we didn't have any problems with it.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-02-07 21:40:00
PhilippinesSt lukes Medical
Yay good to know I can keep 1 tiny souvenir from the 10,000 peso I paid for the medical. The POE officer didn't ask for the cd though when I arrived in WA.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-02-07 20:58:00
PhilippinesThe Eagle lands today
WOhoooo!!!!!! We had the same feeling. I will never forget the first time we glanced at each other when I took the elevator. We hugged and kissed the first time after several months of being away.

See Dain?! It seems only yesterday when we got so disappointed about the visa delivery, endless updates in VJ, logging in air21 website 24/7 just to get the status.. I'm so happy things worked out in the end.

WELCOME TO THE US VICKY!!! :dance:
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-02-08 11:56:00
Philippinesshe got approved
Congratulations! :thumbs: The first night would be awesome.. nothing feels so heartwarming as being reunited for the first time after several months of long distance affair!!!!!!!! :innocent:

WELCOME TO THE US! :dance:

Edited by GuardianAngel, 08 February 2010 - 11:45 AM.

GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-02-08 11:41:00
PhilippinesPacket 3 from USEM
It's perfectly normal for USEM to send you a confirmation letter few days before sending the Letter of Eligibility for Visa INterview bearing your MNL Case as well as the details needed during the process. Just wait a little longer and for sure you will find it knocking at your doorstep :yes: The letter of Eligibility from USEM will be one of the basic requirements for your medical.

Please know that there won't be any packet that USEM will send from now on, the process has been revised few years ago. FYI
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-02-16 04:26:00
Philippinesok i know i posted about my space but it is in here visa paperwork????
My point of entry was in Seattle, WA. The officers were very kind and didn't ask me anything. It was funny that they didn't ask for the envelope until I volunteered for them to get it :blush: they just tore it right away without further assessments if a portion of it has been crumpled or not.

So really, you will do fine! :P welcome to the US!!!!!!
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-02-16 04:30:00
PhilippinesFEBRUARY 2010 interviews lets gather up
Document Verification is totally slashed out from the entire process. However, don't forget to pay the VISA APPLICATION FEE of 131$ at any BDO branches. You can bring a copy of your DS157, one that has already been filled out and encoded and show it to the teller. The teller will then notarize the form with the BDO seal and will provide a receipt (USEM will get the white copy while you can keep the blue one).

I wanted to stress this out because during my interview, two couples weren't allowed to have their interview because of this particular issue. Considering the tedious process they have been through as well as paying an attorney's fee of 1,000$, we really couldn't expect that such issue will still arise.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-01-25 21:22:00
PhilippinesToday's my birthday!!!
K1 VISA JOURNEY

I hope that will help. If it is inconvenient for your fiance to fly to manila again just to have the cfo seminar, you can always consider CFO Cebu.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-02-18 04:10:00
PhilippinesEndless Gratitude
By the way, just an update.

I was able to apply for my SSN number last Tuesday (Feb. 16, 2009). Everything went out well, the facilitator was very kind and she just asked me several questions which to me, was like "swearing" that I will tell the truth no matter what and thats it. She said I will expect to receive it sometime next week.

We were able to ask if its deemed necessary for me to go back to the office right after we get married, she said theres a mail option but it's not really advisable so its best to just go back there right after the release of the marriage certificate. Also, she said, I will still be retaining the SSN number (digits) though, they just have to remove "unable to work" so I could start processing my EAD when the time comes..

Edited by GuardianAngel, 18 February 2010 - 01:08 PM.

GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-02-18 13:07:00
PhilippinesEndless Gratitude
First of all, I would like to apologize for not updating my POE experience right away. My fiance and I made up for the 7 months that we lost due to the K1 visa processes.. I am sure all of you can understand what I mean :devil:

I left for the US February 3, 2010 12:30 MN (Phil Time) via Korean Air. In 4 hours and 30 mins, we landed at Incheon International Airport, luckily, we were offered free accommodation (Suite room) at the Hyatt Hotel with free lunch and transportation. We were allowed to enter Korea EVEN WITHOUT A VISA, and they stamped my passport with 30 days allowable stay in their country. Its best to take this into consideration because when I had this inquiry in the past, not all people in VJ know the whereabouts.

Again and again and again and again and again... hehe
My fiance and I would like to thank all of you guys for your undying support, brilliant ideas, and for being our fortress when we seemed so confused. I know the journey won't end here, at least, we have finished going through the first phase. We are hoping to once again, have your support as we later on process our AOS.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So far, these are all the experiences I have posted. I hope this will somehow help those who still have yet to undergo the K1 Visa Processes.

Medical Experience:
SLMEC's Experience

CFO Experience: CFO

Visa Interview Experience:
- I am posting it below but you can also access it through the "Local Consulates and Embassy Reviews Section"

Review Topic: K1 Visa

I arrived in USEM at around 6AM. There were already variety of people lining up for each of their intentions. I saw seafarers, old people wanting to get visa applications, kids brought my their parents during the interview.. The irony was,even despite the gesture of browsing through each of my documents pretty much every night before the interview, I still overlooked one of the important documents I should have brought, my APPOINTMENT LETTER. Thanks to all the considerate guards in USEM, they let me in when they saw that my name is listed in the paper that they were holding.

I then was told to line up at the X-RAY machine to have my bag scanned for electronic devices, even liquids are NOT allowed inside the premises. Then I was guided to sit in one of the blue chairs and was asked to wait for further instructions. I tried my best to entertain myself by talking to my seat mates in each of the processes but sad to say, NONE of them are from VJ.
After 5 mins, few of us seated were asked to fall in line and prepare the documents they will be needing.
1) DS 157 (2 copies)
2) DS 157K (2 copies), one with the validation of the bank at the back
3) DS-156 (1 copy)
---- you will be asked to ensure that all blank lines should be indicated with "NONE" and that you have paid the 131$ fee for the visa application. There was a couple who was supposed to be interviewed but wasn't allowed to proceed because of the bank receipt. They were asked to return at 10AM when BDO (one who gets the payment) will only open at 10AM, I feel bad for them. Her fiance was so pissed that he was murmuring about incurring a huge amount of money for the application only to find out, one thing is still missing.

After my papers were verified, I was then given a number (mine was 7017). I waited for my number and name to be called for the initial interview. It was awkward because those applicants assigned to the screener's situated in front of the blue chairs were scrutinized and people who were waiting for their turns could hear it. I was glad to be assigned at the right part of the cubicles where theres a little bit of privacy so I felt even more confident. The pre-screener asked for my birth certificate, cernomar, NBI Clearance, 1040, W2s, and Affidavit of Support (I134). The following questions were asked to me:
1) My name
2) My Fiance's Name
3) His age and mine
4) How did we meet? Where? When?
After answering those questions, he asked for my pictures. I told him he can choose if he wants both folders or just have one, he said he will take the two.
I was surprised that he didn't get my fiance's letter of employment, hotel receipts, chat logs, cards... I told him I still have lots of files in my bag, so if he needs more proofs of relationship, I can provide more. He just told me to keep it.

Next was the finger scanning procedure. The lady whom I was assigned smiled and asked me few questions, she praised how I look, I just smiled. This process should be done in three consecutive ways (rub both hands first) place on the machine four fingers left side first, four fingers right side next, and finally, both thumbs. We were told never to leave the finger scanning thingy if not told to do so. There were lots of applicants who were reprimanded because of how they scanned their fingers.

I waited in line again for the final interview. I kept asking my seat mates about how they felt, they were all panicking and trembling. After 30 minutes, my name was called. The one who interviewed me was an American guy who looked so strict. He was browsing at my documents then asked me to raise my right hand and swear blah blah blah. Then I asked him if I can take a seat, he said "certainly." Then he asked:
1) My name and my fiance's name
2) My birthdate
3) How am I related to the petitioner
4) He asked about my fiance's job
I didn't want to have gaps during the conversation because I don't want him to ask questions about the affidavit of support specially so that my fiance just started his job and we didn't have paystubs to show him. I was the one volunteering information whenever he would browse into my documents. I wanted him to be pre-occupied with the things I say so he won't be able to formulate questions in his head. I told him about our love story, about how my fiance proposed, and so on. He was pretty much impressed and said "Congratulations your visa is approved."

Thank you VJ for your support and prayers. I owe this experience to you and my fiance.

Keep shining members!

Edited by GuardianAngel, 07 February 2010 - 09:36 PM.

GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-02-07 21:33:00
PhilippinesHow to call NVC..?
Believe me, during my time, I tried all means just to contact them may it be the toll free number to the local land line number but I had no luck in reaching them.. I know you just want to help your husband but it would be less tedious if you will let him call.
GuardianAngelFemalePhilippines2010-02-18 12:59:00