ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesDidn't take daughters passport at St. Luke's Medical
Mylene and Ashley went for their medical on the 14th and 15th and they took Mylene's passport but didn't take her daughter's passport, now she is worried.

The nurse said that Ashley's vaccinations are incomplete and since she is going on a K-2 Visa that she can complete her vaccinations in the U.S..

Anyone with experience with the K-2 process in Philippines care to share experiences to ease Mylene's worries?

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-15 23:21:00
PhilippinesComputer Problems
My fiancee had similar problems, more so with internet connection speeds than with disconnects however. She had a tech come by and that fixed the problems. He uninstalled several programs that were running in the background and slowing the system down (they were also accessing the internet and slowing the connection speed down as well), there was an immediate and noticable difference in her online speeds.

What version of Windows is she running?

What is your chat program of choice? Yahoo Messenger, AOL, ICQ, Skype, etc.

How much system memory (RAM) does she have installed?

What kind of hardware is she using to connect to the internet? (motorola cable modem, US Robotics

V.92 phone modem, Ethernet Card model, etc.)

What type of connection is she using? (cable, dialup, dsl, wireless) By you saying she is getting disconnected I am guessing dialup, if this is the case it could be the phone company that is disconnecting her .. also if she has call waiting and it isn't disabled while she is connected to the internet (*70) that would disconnect her as well when someone calls.

Who is her internet service provider and what speed is she connected at.

Does her internet service provider have a FAP (Fair Access Policy).


Tell me these things and I'll try to give advice if I can.

CB

Hey Everybody!

My fiance, Marilou, has been having a lot of trouble with her pc. She has called a technician that said the problem is in the internet connection. The internet service provider says it's her pc. I don't really trust either of them. Does anyone know of a really good computer technician in Angeles City? We can hardly chat anymore because she keeps getting disconnected. If anyone can refer us to a good tech., we would appreciate it very much.

Thank you,
Jon & Marilou


CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-19 22:09:00
PhilippinesCan we change the POE ???
Mylene put on her paperwork that her POE will be San Francisco but from searching flights to St. Louis it looks like the most economical POE will be Chicago.

Has anyone used a different POE than what their paperwork stated without issue? Can she change it at the interview? Should I call the embassy to change it?

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-20 06:22:00
PhilippinesI may be blind but ...
thanks everybody .. :thumbs:
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-20 16:55:00
PhilippinesI may be blind but ...

im not sure but i just went straight to the CFO or Prism and they gave me some form to fill up and have my seminar... i dont think its suppose to be fill before going there??? not sure... never heard of it or tried it... who knows


Hopefully someone knows (as it is stated on the page that it is an option) I'm just not wise enough to locate the form .. Mylene likes to be prepared ahead of time if possible, less things to do at the seminar.

:)
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-19 23:37:00
PhilippinesI may be blind but ...

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/forms.htm

particularly,
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/feedbackfs.pdf


This isn't the registration form, this is the feedback form to send after the beneficiary is in the US for 2 weeks to 3 months. I am looking for the registration form that she needs to take tomorrow .. Thanks :thumbs:
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-19 22:53:00
PhilippinesI may be blind but ...
When I go here ..

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/emig_manila.htm

it says one of the requirements are ..

Duly completed registration form (downloadable at www.cfo.gov.ph);

When I go there I cannot find the registration form anywhere .. anyone know where I can get a copy? Mylene is going tomorrow and she asked me about it tonight but as you can see I haven't been alot of help as yet.

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-19 22:46:00
PhilippinesArranging documents
Mylene is currently arranging the documents for her interview on July 9th, does anyone care to share their opinion on the following question.

Would the pictures that we have together in the Philippines be better suited with her packet for proof of meeting prior to relationship or her packet for proof of genuine relationship?

Thanks,
CB

Edited by CountryBoy, 24 June 2007 - 12:08 AM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-24 00:06:00
PhilippinesJuly 9 2007 Interview at Manila US Embassy ..
My fiancee's interview is July 9th and she would like to know someone there, any chance of others having this same date for their interview?

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-24 08:22:00
PhilippinesMy Pre Interview Cost Analysis ..

yes, they are totally different fees. everybody pays the 750p airport fees at the airport.
the travel tax is imposed only on Filipinos.
here's a link to info about it. http://www.philtourism.com/ttax.html
Yazi paid for the reduced tax ceftificate for our daughter at the local PTA office in Davao.
if the airline ticket was purchased outside of the Philippines, the travel tax is not included in the air fare. believe you would then pay travel tax at the airport.


On the website listed above there is no mention (that I can see) about having to produce a reduced tax certificate for children ages 2 to 12. The only required document listed is the passport (as stated on the website - for children aged 2-12 standard reduced rate travel tax is 810php).

Can someone verify that without obtaining the reduced tax certificate that a child of this age will in fact have to pay the full amount (1620php) even though they present their passport?

I don't see a need for Mylene to make a special trip to the PTA or to pay the 200 php for the certificate if the Standard Reduced Rate Travel Tax is applied by simply presenting Ashley's passport at the airport when they fly out.

Thanks,
CB

Edited by CountryBoy, 01 July 2007 - 04:15 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-01 16:14:00
PhilippinesMy Pre Interview Cost Analysis ..

yes, they are totally different fees. everybody pays the 750p airport fees at the airport.
the travel tax is imposed only on Filipinos.
here's a link to info about it. http://www.philtourism.com/ttax.html
Yazi paid for the reduced tax ceftificate for our daughter at the local PTA office in Davao.
if the airline ticket was purchased outside of the Philippines, the travel tax is not included in the air fare. believe you would then pay travel tax at the airport.


Thanks for this .. Mylene is going to Manila in the morning so I will have her stop by the PTA Office to fill out the reduced tax certificate.

CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-01 15:05:00
PhilippinesMy Pre Interview Cost Analysis ..



Travel tax is P1620

Is this per person? Where and when is it paid?

You can get a" first time immigrant " discount on plane tickets. At least PAL gave us one. You have to ask for it tho!
Was about 20%.


forgot about the travel tax. that's not included in the ticket price.

you can get a reduced fee of 810p on the travel tax for the child if you pay 200p for a certificate to the Philippine Tourism Aurthority

Again, where do you fill out this certificate for the discount? where and when do you pay for the travel tax? is it different from the 750 php terminal / airport fee ??

PAL is the only airline I heard gives the 20% first time immigrant discount on air fares.


Edited by CountryBoy, 01 July 2007 - 02:45 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-01 14:43:00
PhilippinesMy Pre Interview Cost Analysis ..

The following costs were associated with Mylene and Ashley's medical, interview, hotels, and airfare ..

Please keep in mind that these costs are for my fiancee AND her daughter ..

Medical - $162 (must pay in php at SLEC)
Visa Payment - $200 (Equitable PCI Bank - near NSO)
Hotel (pre interview) - $54 (Bayview Park Hotel .. across from US Embassy .. reserved online 1 week early)
Hotel (pre flight) - $88 (Heritage Hotel Manila - Pasay City .. reserved @ asiarooms.com 2 weeks early)
Flight to St. Louis, MO - $1682 (Northwest Airlines - booked over phone 3 weeks early .. POE Minneapolis)

I don't know if philippine airport taxes of 750 php each are included in the ticket prices yet and since Mylene will be picking the visas up in person if she will have to pay Delbros or not.

Please let me know if I will have to pay for anything else ..

Thanks,
CB


I thought the exam was $95 and the visa $100. Don't forget the terminal fees. I was in the Philippines in March and when I left I had to pay about 1,000 pesos. This was for terminal fees, taxi, etc. The terminal fees are not included in the ticket prices.

Charlie


he is combining the cost for his fiancee and her daughter. on airport fees, 550p international departure fee and 200p security fee for 200p for 750p. If you booked a flight here on Northwest, the fees would not be included in the ticket price. can just pay at the airport on departure day.


Thanks :thumbs:


Travel tax is P1620
You can get a" first time immigrant " discount on plane tickets. At least PAL gave us one. You have to ask for it tho!
Was about 20%.


Travel Tax ?? can you elaborate as to where and when this will be paid?

Already have the plane tickets.

Thanks
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-01 14:34:00
PhilippinesMy Pre Interview Cost Analysis ..

The following costs were associated with Mylene and Ashley's medical, interview, hotels, and airfare ..

Please keep in mind that these costs are for my fiancee AND her daughter ..

Medical - $162 (must pay in php at SLEC)
Visa Payment - $200 (Equitable PCI Bank - near NSO)
Hotel (pre interview) - $54 (Bayview Park Hotel .. across from US Embassy .. reserved online 1 week early)
Hotel (pre flight) - $88 (Heritage Hotel Manila - Pasay City .. reserved @ asiarooms.com 2 weeks early)
Flight to St. Louis, MO - $1682 (Northwest Airlines - booked over phone 3 weeks early .. POE Minneapolis)

I don't know if philippine airport taxes of 750 php each are included in the ticket prices yet and since Mylene will be picking the visas up in person if she will have to pay Delbros or not.

Please let me know if I will have to pay for anything else ..

Thanks,
CB


I thought the exam was $95 and the visa $100. Don't forget the terminal fees. I was in the Philippines in March and when I left I had to pay about 1,000 pesos. This was for terminal fees, taxi, etc. The terminal fees are not included in the ticket prices.

Charlie


Mylene's exam was $95 and Ashley's was $67
I wasn't sure of the cost at the airport, but I think it was like 750 php for one .. since I am paying for 2 it would be 1500.

She should have plenty when it comes to "unexpected" costs .. taxi, food, tips, etc. when she is actually in the process of doing these events... I am just trying to get a handle on any other required expenses for the days of their interview and their flight to the US .

Thanks,
CB

It's a minor fee when compared to other costs, but believe there is a 400p fee at CFO for the sticker in her passport.


Ahhhh .. great. Thanks :thumbs:
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-01 14:29:00
PhilippinesMy Pre Interview Cost Analysis ..
The following costs were associated with Mylene and Ashley's medical, interview, hotels, and airfare ..

Please keep in mind that these costs are for my fiancee AND her daughter ..

Medical - $162 (must pay in php at SLEC)
Visa Payment - $200 (Equitable PCI Bank - near NSO)
Hotel (pre interview) - $54 (Bayview Park Hotel .. across from US Embassy .. reserved online 1 week early)
Hotel (pre flight) - $88 (Heritage Hotel Manila - Pasay City .. reserved @ asiarooms.com 2 weeks early)
Flight to St. Louis, MO - $1682 (Northwest Airlines - booked over phone 3 weeks early .. POE Minneapolis)

I don't know if philippine airport taxes of 750 php each are included in the ticket prices yet and since Mylene will be picking the visas up in person if she will have to pay Delbros or not.

Please let me know if I will have to pay for anything else ..

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-01 10:30:00
PhilippinesHotels in Manila

If you want a place right near the airport try The Heritage. It's got big clean rooms and the food is great. It's about $120/night with free breakfast.


Heritage Hotel Manila

Conveniently located near to the airport

If you book your room at the Heritage Hotel Manila thru asiarooms.com the cost is $85 for standard, very nice room with plenty of ammenities ..

When Mylene and I stayed there, I had them to lock up the snack bar so I wouldn't have to give a deposit for it, which may or may not have be returned when we checked out..

The breakfast was good too, but depending on the time you leave in the morning that factor may not apply.

Mylene has a room reserved there on July 15th for her flight out on the 16th. I am unsure how good the airport limo service is there, but her bags will weigh much more than her and Ashley combined so she will definately need assistance from the hotel to the airport. (Philippine to America travel by Northwest Airlines allows checked baggage - 2 per passenger, 70 pounds each .. in our case, a total weight of 280 pounds)


Bayview Park Hotel

I couldn't find an online booking agent that could beat the direct booking at the hotel.

Conveniently located directly across from the US Embassy

Cost for a standard room is $54 and they only require a 10% deposit on your credit card ($5.40)

Mylene has a room reserved for the July 8th as her interview is July 9th.

Good Luck ..

CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-01 18:58:00
Philippinespolice certificate

dose my girl need to get police certificate from Taiwan she work there for a few years?if so how would she do that?


I'm not sure that the process will be exactly the same, but here is how Mylene got hers from Japan

http://www.visajourn...h...st&p=864294

hope this helps.

BTW .. as well as this information, you may want your SO to bring her contracts from working overseas with her to verify dates in Taiwan

CB

Edited by CountryBoy, 01 July 2007 - 10:26 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-01 22:24:00
PhilippinesDS-157 Question 9 - Years of Visits Overseas

CB

The way in which you proposed to display the work history seems reasonable to me. At least, I would have asked my wife to do the same. By the by, it's not unusual for companies to send workers in the Philippines to training to other countries (especially if the company originated in another land). The CO will probably touch on that conversation briefly, or may not. However, it seems interesting enough to cover if I were the CO. One last thing, you did not correlate the title of this thread to your questions/statements. So, I will presume that your lady's work history was not completely listed on the G-325, during the Petition Stage, and it will vary a tad on the DS-157, during the K1 Visa Stage.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling


Sheriff,

The G-325 was completed correctly at the time of filing, but it only lists the 4 most recent visits as it only has space for her last 5 jobs (she was a secretary for a while in 2005) .. The dates listed in her G-325 show FROM month and year TO month and year .. Mylene was asking if the dates on the DS-157 need to be the date that she ENTERED Japan or any years that she spent time there (5 visits / 6 years).

Unless someone lets me know why I shouldn't, I think I'll just list it as originally posted .. all 6 years, she can explain (and show contracts, etc.) if the CO asks.

BTW .. Her interview is Monday .. WoOhOo

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-04 00:15:00
PhilippinesDS-157 Question 9 - Years of Visits Overseas
Mylene brought up a question to me this evening about the DS-157; according to question 9

9. List all Countries You have Entered in the Last Ten Years
(Give the Year of Each Visit)

Mylene's work history in Japan is as follows.

February 1999 - August 1999
November 1999 - May 2000
April 2002 - October 2002
July 2003 - January 2004
November 2004 - May 2005

As you can see, she has worked in Japan on 5 separate occasions but the years that she was actually in Japan for any period of time are 6 .. I answered the question like this ..

Japan (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)

The correct information for the 4 most recent visits are on her G-325 stating month and year.

Because there are 6 separate years listed (for only 5 visits) on the DS-157 will this be an issue with the Consular Officer?
Will he ask for an explanation?
Should I just list the years that she ENTERED Japan and not the ones that she left?
I could state the overlaps of years and the visits which encompassed more than one year (ex. 1999-2000 even though her contract was only 6 months), but is it really necessary?
Is my answer above acceptable?

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-03 20:23:00
PhilippinesI know, I know .. but I did it anyways ..

my husband sent me a SIM card then, but even if he registered my phone already (since its an open line) thru cingular it didnt somehow work and the cingular people said my sim was being corrupted or doing some unauthorized transactions in phil (which is stupid coz it never worked so how can i use it in such a way :wacko: ) so what i did was i just have my Globe line do the international roaming which is so painless. lol... could text when i have my layover in HK and could text when i arrived at the POE to my husband and to my mom back at home... good luck to all!!!


I just called Cingular / AT&T and they said that Mylene's phone is the correct technology. They also said that since I registered her IMEI number with them that she will have service as soon as she puts the sim in her phone .. I hope that they are right .. :)

If all else fails she can use international roaming with her Globe Sim Card .. :thumbs:

Edited by CountryBoy, 05 July 2007 - 09:12 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-05 21:10:00
PhilippinesI know, I know .. but I did it anyways ..

Good to see that you're an optimist! :)


Just a couple of comments. I think that trying to catch the July 30 cut-off for the fees is a bit too optimistic. Within two weeks of Mylene's and her daughter's arrival you have to:

a ) get married
b ) get a civil surgeon to issue the I693A (vaccination supplement) for Mylene and her daughter
c ) Have the certified marriage license/certificate on hand

All that on top of Mylene and her daughter trying to cope with jet lag. :)

BTW, you can file AOS for Mylene's daughter without you having to adopt her. She is already defined as "your child" by virtue of her being your stepchild. You can work on the adoption after the AOS has been filed.

Good luck! I hope everything will fall into place for you, Mylene and your new family. :)



We did not have to have a vaccination supplement to file AOS.

The other two things on your list are doable in 2 weeks of you hurry. A lot of stress....but, doable.


Thanks for the positive response, I am all for saving money when you can .. :)

About the civil surgeon's vaccination supplement, are there any vaccinations that Ashley may have to take in a series once she is here

That shouldn't be the case. Coming through Manila and St. Luke's, assuming she had all the vaccinations offered in the Phil., she should only need ONE shot.

Claudeth only needed a tetanus shot when she got here.


I'm not so worried about Mylene as I am Ashley .. if she has to do anything as a series (a week apart or whatever) then we may have probs making the deadline.
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-05 18:11:00
PhilippinesI know, I know .. but I did it anyways ..

Mylene and her daughter Ashley's interviews are July 9th and I bought her tickets to fly out on the 16th.

I purchased the tickets over the phone yesterday from Northwest Airlines, a filipina answered the phone and gave me some awesome discounts.

I know most people wouldn't advise doing this but I weighed my options and decided that if I purchased tickets 3 weeks before the flight that it would be ALOT cheaper than if I waited until 1 week (or less) before the flight. The tickets that I purchased can be cancelled (or changed) up until the time that the flight leaves Manila for a $100 penalty; I don't think there will be a problem, but it does give me a little peace of mind.

Tomorrow I am sending out some additional screen shots and other items / documents that Mylene requested for her interview .. I included with these documents a sim card to put in her phone when she gets to her POE and also a letter to the Consular Officer asking that he/she allow Mylene to pick up the Visas in person. The reasons I gave for purchasing the tickets was so that Mylene and Ashley could be here ON my birthday and so we can get married and I can adopt Ashley in time to file their AOS paperwork before the fee increases on July 30th.

Mylene will be using Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport for her POE. Does anyone have any experience with this POE that they care to share.

Thanks,
CB


CountryBoy can you give me some more info about the sim card. I was not sure if the Phones there would function in the US. Girly uses a SMART sim now in her Sony Phone. Would be great if I could set her up as well.

Thanks and Good Luck to you both! :thumbs:


The sim card that I sent Mylene is from my family plan thru AT&T (cingular) .. being from the philippines her cell phone should be unlocked by default since she uses smart/globe.
The cell phone that Girly uses needs to be compatable with your cell phone providers technology here (GSM, Quad Band, PCS, whatever) I know that verizon and cingular/AT&T sim cards should work in most phones from philippines that use smart/globe.

CB


I came in through MSP and it was quick and painless, my husband was with me.

They had a line that said "new immigration" and we went there. It was only us and another couple, so we didn't have to wait at all. I wasn't asked any questions, the officer just openend the brown envelope, stamped some papers in there and my passport, told us we had 90 days to get married and sent us on the way.

Good luck!


Thanks so much for these encouraging words .. :thumbs:
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-05 18:03:00
PhilippinesI know, I know .. but I did it anyways ..

About the civil surgeon's vaccination supplement, are there any vaccinations that Ashley may have to take in a series once she is here

That shouldn't be the case. Coming through Manila and St. Luke's, assuming she had all the vaccinations offered in the Phil., she should only need ONE shot.


St. Lukes didn't give Ashley any immunizations because they could not be completed in time according to Mylene, they said it was no problem with her age of 5 she could do them in the US.

CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-28 20:22:00
PhilippinesI know, I know .. but I did it anyways ..

I included with these documents a sim card to put in her phone when she gets to her POE

Mylene will be using Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport for her POE. Does anyone have any experience with this POE that they care to share.


She will have to wait until after she clears the POE as cell phone use while in the arrival facility is not allowed.

Luz used MSP so you might wish to start there...



Hopefully Gary or Luz will read this thread and reply .. :thumbs:

Edited by CountryBoy, 28 June 2007 - 08:21 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-28 20:20:00
PhilippinesI know, I know .. but I did it anyways ..
Thanks eau xplain and Sheriff .. I hope I did the right thing too, but even if I didn't it won't cost me too much .. :)

About the civil surgeon's vaccination supplement, are there any vaccinations that Ashley may have to take in a series once she is here (a week or a month apart, etc), and if so .. will it take an excess period of time to complete the series? this is my only worry about getting the AOS filed before the fee increase.

Thanks again guys,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-28 16:27:00
PhilippinesI know, I know .. but I did it anyways ..
Mylene and her daughter Ashley's interviews are July 9th and I bought her tickets to fly out on the 16th.

I purchased the tickets over the phone yesterday from Northwest Airlines, a filipina answered the phone and gave me some awesome discounts.

I know most people wouldn't advise doing this but I weighed my options and decided that if I purchased tickets 3 weeks before the flight that it would be ALOT cheaper than if I waited until 1 week (or less) before the flight. The tickets that I purchased can be cancelled (or changed) up until the time that the flight leaves Manila for a $100 penalty; I don't think there will be a problem, but it does give me a little peace of mind.

Tomorrow I am sending out some additional screen shots and other items / documents that Mylene requested for her interview .. I included with these documents a sim card to put in her phone when she gets to her POE and also a letter to the Consular Officer asking that he/she allow Mylene to pick up the Visas in person. The reasons I gave for purchasing the tickets was so that Mylene and Ashley could be here ON my birthday and so we can get married and I can adopt Ashley in time to file their AOS paperwork before the fee increases on July 30th.

Mylene will be using Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport for her POE. Does anyone have any experience with this POE that they care to share.

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-06-27 20:20:00
PhilippinesK-1 Approved !!!!!!!!!!!!!
:thumbs: Congrats on your NOA-2 :thumbs:
:dance: :thumbs: :thumbs: :dance: :thumbs: :thumbs: :dance:
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-06 20:20:00
PhilippinesAny 1 get interview date from Manila in last 3 wks?
About the phone numbers .. as I said in my previous reply ..

Click the pinned post at the top of the Philippine forum and look at Sheriff Uling's Signature for the phone numbers to call St. Lukes and The US Embassy Manila

they are the exact numbers that I have used in calling St. Lukes and USEM

yes, I am 2 months ahead of you .. just thought my timeline my give you an idea of when you can expect things to happen


Not sure how you tracked with dhl as it does not work anymore?
I did call the embassy and they said they received the paperwork.
Who did you call at the embassy and what number did you use to request paperwork?
Who did you call at the hospital and what number did you use?

Thanks...

PS. your two months ahead of me.



did you track the package thru DHL??

If so, you know for sure that it has been there for 1 month, looking at your timeline I would say that your packet was only opened in the last 3 weeks but electronic notification would have been received in the time that you suggested.

Given this information, I would say that it is time that the petitioner gives the embassy a call to inquire about the status of your packet .. Our timeline from NVC to interview is below

April 20, 2007 : Packet left the NVC on

April 23, 2007 : Packet arrived at US Embassy

April 24, 2007 : I called the embassy requesting that Mylene pick up a request for police clearance

April 25, 2007 : Mylene picked up the request for police clearance (electronic notification of NVC approval, packet not opened by US Embassy yet)

May 17, 2007 : I called US Embassy and they gave me Mylene's Interview date of July 9, 2007

May 24, 2007 : I called St. Lukes and requested if Mylene could pick up a copy of Packet 4 as she hadn't recieved it yet .. they said to come in to pick it up tomorrow (they requested a copy from US Embassy Manila)

May 25, 2007 : Mylene picked up Packet 4 from St. Lukes .. Her physical and interview dates were there as well ..

June 15, 2007 : Mylene and Ashley had their Medicals

July 9, 2007 : Mylene and Ashley's Interviews

Hope that this helps .. Click the pinned post at the top of the Philippine forum and look at Sheriff Uling's Signature for the phone numbers to call St. Lukes and The US Embassy Manila ..

Good Luck,
CB


CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-07 05:36:00
PhilippinesAny 1 get interview date from Manila in last 3 wks?
did you track the package thru DHL??

If so, you know for sure that it has been there for 1 month, looking at your timeline I would say that your packet was only opened in the last 3 weeks but electronic notification would have been received in the time that you suggested.

Given this information, I would say that it is time that the petitioner gives the embassy a call to inquire about the status of your packet .. Our timeline from NVC to interview is below

April 20, 2007 : Packet left the NVC on

April 23, 2007 : Packet arrived at US Embassy

April 24, 2007 : I called the embassy requesting that Mylene pick up a request for police clearance

April 25, 2007 : Mylene picked up the request for police clearance (electronic notification of NVC approval, packet not opened by US Embassy yet)

May 17, 2007 : I called US Embassy and they gave me Mylene's Interview date of July 9, 2007

May 24, 2007 : I called St. Lukes and requested if Mylene could pick up a copy of Packet 4 as she hadn't recieved it yet .. they said to come in to pick it up tomorrow (they requested a copy from US Embassy Manila)

May 25, 2007 : Mylene picked up Packet 4 from St. Lukes .. Her physical and interview dates were there as well ..

June 15, 2007 : Mylene and Ashley had their Medicals

July 9, 2007 : Mylene and Ashley's Interviews

Hope that this helps .. Click the pinned post at the top of the Philippine forum and look at Sheriff Uling's Signature for the phone numbers to call St. Lukes and The US Embassy Manila ..

Good Luck,
CB

Edited by CountryBoy, 06 July 2007 - 09:01 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-06 21:00:00
PhilippinesMonday is Mylene's Interview ..
Mylene should be called into the embassy very, very soon .. she is very nervous because she spent so muct time on VJ reading about AR .. From all that I have read, the only way that that would be possible is if the Embassy forgot to order a Cenomar for her (since she has a kid I imagine that they ordered it as soon as they got it .. fingers crossed)

Time to call her one more time .. so I better go ..

Thanks for all of your wishes of good luck and prayers.

CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-08 18:55:00
PhilippinesMonday is Mylene's Interview ..
Mylene should be called into the embassy very, very soon .. she is very nervous because she spent so muct time on VJ reading about AR .. From all that I have read, the only way that that would be possible is if the Embassy forgot to order a Cenomar for her (since she has a kid I imagine that they ordered it as soon as they got it .. fingers crossed)

Time to call her one more time .. so I better go ..

Thanks for all of your wishes of good luck and prayers.

CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-08 16:57:00
PhilippinesMonday is Mylene's Interview ..
July 9, 2007 .. Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. is Mylene's interview

Prayers and good luck wishes are greatly appreciated .. BUT .. the reason for my post is to inquire if anyone else has their interview on the same day ..


Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-06 20:30:00
PhilippinesWhat time do 7:30 interviews in Manila usually get done ??
Thanks so much, I now know that I will more than likely be awake (on the edge of my seat) until 1 or 2 a.m. Central Time.

Checkout time at Bayview is 1:00 according to the desk last night. I told Mylene that her housekeeper could stay in the room until the interview was done. She didn't want to pay for the extra time (200php per hour) so she is having Eva to stay outside of the embassy with the cell phones if the interview isn't completed by time for checkout.

Any other experiences that anyone would like to share?

Thanks,
CB



Hi CountryBoy,

Mharis had her interview June 5 at 7:30 and was told at noon to come back after lunch. She ran back to the Bayview to text me that things were going fine. She then was interviewed and I got the news at 2 or 3 PM Manila time.

Doesn't sound like over-reacting to me. At least it sounds like how I was acting.


CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-08 21:24:00
PhilippinesWhat time do 7:30 interviews in Manila usually get done ??
Mylene's Interview was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. in Manila .. She and Ashley got there at like 4:00 a.m. so she could be the first in line. (little did we know that there were 6:30 and 7:00 interviews .. not K-1, but visas none the less)

It's after 10:00 Manila time now and I have read of beneficiaries finishing their interviews and being out of the Embassy before 10:00 from their 7:30 interview appointments. Mylene was surely the first in line (she said noone was there when she got there) but still no word from her. Her housekeeper is staying in the Bayview Park Hotel room with her cell phones so that she can contact me as soon as she is done.

What is a normal time to finish a 7:30 a.m. K-1 Visa Interview at the US Embassy Manila.

Are all K-1 Visa interviews at the US Embassy Manila scheduled for 7:30 a.m.?

Are there afternoon interviews scheduled at the US Embassy Manila?

Am I overreacting ?? LOL

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-08 21:14:00
PhilippinesNBI clearance

How recent does the NBI clearance have to be? Family in the PHilippines says it doesn't have to be renewed (whatever that means). The line is such a pain.


NBI Clearance would definately have to be renewed .. if someone committed a crime after the issuance of an NBI Clearance then the report would be incorrect.

Many at VJ have recommended that Mylene's paperwork be no older than 6 months (even the paperwork that says that it can be up to 1 year old in packet 4)

All the lines, and traffic, and waiting in the Philippines is definately a pain; I believe that a huge majority of people there do not know the concept of using the phone to get answers to questions that they may have (this is definately the case with the people that I have dealt with anyways) .. when you get to the US you will see that people here do know how to use the phone to get their answers (not NBI Clearance precisely, but many, many other things) which makes everything so much better.

I cannot even describe how many times Mylene has made trips .. thru the traffic, and lines, and waiting .. just to find out that she could not accomplish the task at hand for whatever reason .. a simple phone call would have saved so much time and money (for transportation) .. but being the "male" counterpart, I will simply have to learn that I am always wrong when I suggest something like that (even when I am right .. lol)

Good luck in your journey !! :thumbs:

CB

Edited by CountryBoy, 07 July 2007 - 11:00 AM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-07 10:59:00
PhilippinesMylene was approved .. supposedly
Mylene asked me to extend her thankfulness to everyone ..

I would like to thank everyone that has helped us thus far thru our journey as well, I don't know where you could find a better bunch of friends than right here.

Thank you all so much ..

CB and Mylene
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-09 20:49:00
PhilippinesMylene was approved .. supposedly
Mylene texted me at about 11:30 manila time and said that the consular officer wrote approved on her documents, BUT he also said that Ashleys passport wasnt' received from St. Lukes yet .. I called St. Lukes and they said it was sent out on June 19th .. hmmm .. Trying to call the embassy, but noone is in the Immigrant Visa section from 12:20 to 1:00 manila time (lunch)

On top of that .. I sent a letter to Mylene asking the consular officer to allow her to pick up the visas in person so that she could fly out on the flight that I booked for next Monday .. but she was too shy to give it to him. I'm sure now that Delbros won't have the visas to her in time to be on the flight so that is a hotel reservation down the drain and a flight schedule that has to be changed. How much do you reckon that is gonna cost me ??
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-08 23:37:00
PhilippinesTime to arrive at the embassy
Mylene went for her interview on Monday morning .. the guard started letting in the 6:30 a.m. appointments at 5:00 a.m. .. Mylene's interview appointment was at 7:30 a.m. and the guard called them to get in line outside the embassy just before 7:00 a.m. .. the guard looks at your appointment letter and valid ID and then he lets you go inside (you have to scan / x-ray your belongings) and it only took a few minutes to get inside and get seated after lining up.

Mylene said that your fiancee will be ok .. Show the guard the appointment letter and valid ID and she will get inside. If the window accepting the DS forms is already closed then she needs to ask the guard inside if she should go to window X or Y to turn in her forms.

Mylene was given the tip of putting the DS forms in order ..

1.) Appointment Letter on top
2.) DS-156k filled out
3.) DS-156 that was filled out online (with barcode and picture glued) 3 pages
4.) DS-157 with the bank validated copy, filled up (remove the stapled paper from the form and keep it)
5.) Second copy DS-156 filled out online (with barcode and picture glued) 3 pages
6.) Second copy DS-157 not validated copy

She put the forms in this order before going to the window and there was no delay at all, they just gave her a number .. others were taking a long time if their documents were not in that exact order.

good luck with the interview ..

CB

Edited by CountryBoy, 09 July 2007 - 09:25 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-09 21:23:00
PhilippinesIf you are approved to pick up your visa at US Embassy Manila

Hi, I'm not sure how helpful my answer will be.... Visa pickup is usually in the afternoon. I did not get a call nor receive a text message because they told me what day and time I can pick up the visa.

As for the CFO office, they don't have one at the international airport. She has to take the guidance/counseling program first then get the CFO sticker at the CFO office in Manila ( http://www.cfo.gov.ph/mapmanila.jpg ).

Hope everything works out for you guys timing-wise.


Mylene already attended the guidance/counseling seminar .. she just needs to get the stamp. I don't know why the embassy official would tell me that Mylene could get her CFO stamp at the international airport .. that could have really messed things up ..

Thanks sillygirl,
CB

Edited by CountryBoy, 09 July 2007 - 09:32 PM.

CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-09 21:31:00
PhilippinesIf you are approved to pick up your visa at US Embassy Manila
I just got off of the phone about 15 minutes ago with Sandy at the embassy what a sweet and helpful person.

She said that since Mylene faxed her flight itenerary and my letter of request to pick up her and Ashleys visas in person that there shouldn't be a problem as long as Delbros hadn't already picked up the packets when she presents them (the intenerary and request letter) to the Consular Officer for approval.

I also asked if she could tell me the status of the visas and she said that all is complete, the visas were approved, and that the packets were still in the process of being "put together" (I assume that means the clear envelope and brown envelope).

She asked for Mylene's phone number so that she could contact her when the visas were available for pickup. She agreed that since Mylene and Ashleys' flights are leaving at 7:50 a.m. next Monday that she definately needs to pick the visas up in person.

She also informed me that there is a CFO office at the airport for stamps but she wasn't sure what time the CFO opened.

I have a couple of questions ..

For anyone that has picked up your visa in person at USEM, did they text you or call you?

Does anyone know what time the CFO office opens at the International Airport?

Thanks,
CB
CountryBoyMalePhilippines2007-07-09 20:04:00