ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescalling NVC

 
NOA2: April 25, 2013
NOA2 Hardcopy: Not yet delivered to my fiance.
 
---
 
Tried to beat the clock (12am EST) last Friday. Called and gave our CIS Number. He didn't tell me right away that our case wasn't in the system yet like most operators that I've talked to.

He proceeded on asking me "Do you have an approval yet?" (We haven't gotten the physical NOA2 yet.) 

I said, "We have had an approval."

He said, "Will you read the first line, please?"

I said, "No, I don't have the physical mail as I'm the beneficiary."

He said, "Let the one who has received the letter to call when he gets the Approval Letter."

Judging from that conversation, I think they have our case numbers, but won't release it to me.

:(




















Ask to speak to a supervisor.

TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-09 00:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescalling NVC
Keep calling the NVC. They should have your MNL case number any day now. I don't remember reading them anything other than our names and our birth dates, and maybe our WAC/EAC number.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-04-08 20:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlease help! I'm still in INITIAL REVIEW after they touch our paper.

Hi. Can you tell me or share what post-approval process is? |
:) thank  you in advance :)


Your RFE will set you back only a week or two and then your petition will be approved, so you should start planning ahead because you're about to shift into high gear. Handa ka na ba?

Once the USCIS approves your petition, here's what you should do if you want to speed up the process by a month or more:

1. Don't wait for the U.S. Embassy Manila to send your beneficiary a snail mail telling her that she is eligible to schedule an interview and giving her instructions on how to prepare for the interview. That letter could take forever to arrive.

2. Instead of waiting for PhilPost to deliver the letter, about a week or ten days after the USCIS approves your petition, you should start calling the National Visa Center (NVC) every day until they give you your MNL case number. Note: you need to talk to a human at the NVC in order to get your MNL case number.

3. Once you have your MNL case number, have the beneficiary immediately pay the visa application at BPI.

4. 4-24 hours after paying the visa application fee, schedule an Embassy interview appointment either online or by phone. Either one of you can schedule the appointment. Make sure to print out a couple of copies of the interview confirmation screen when scheduling online. If you schedule by phone, print out a couple copies of the Embassy's confirmation email. You'll likely be able to schedule an interview about two or three weeks out.

5. Then, the beneficiary can complete the medical anytime after booking the interview appointment, all the way up until about a week before the interview. Fill out the registration form on St. Luke's website and take a couple of copies to the medical. Check out St. Luke's website for other details.

By the way, you should take a look at the Embassy letter right now so you can prepare for your magical day. Here it is: http://manila.usemba...e/wwwh3224.html

I don't know about other U.S. Embassies, but the above is a great shortcut when you're going through Manila.

















TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-08 18:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlease help! I'm still in INITIAL REVIEW after they touch our paper.

Are you familiar with the post-approval process?

 

 

No. Unfortunately not.  

You could be using this time to study up on the post-approval process.  

 

There's a shortcut that could save you a month or more.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-04 13:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlease help! I'm still in INITIAL REVIEW after they touch our paper.

Are you familiar with the post-approval process?


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-03 10:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlease help! I'm still in INITIAL REVIEW after they touch our paper.
It doesn't smell like an RFE...
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-02 18:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlease help! I'm still in INITIAL REVIEW after they touch our paper.
I smell an approval...
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-02 18:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAssigning NVC case number

Thanks Tahoma.......Yup I've had a year to read and prepare LOL........Got everything ready to go already..........have a rather large accordion folder with all documentation that I will be taking with me when I go with her to the interview and she has all her documentation prepared as well.


You're going to the interview? Excellent! It should be a slam dunk.

TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-09 00:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAssigning NVC case number

Just called again this evening and boom got the number.......fiancee' going in about 3 hours from now on her lunch time to BPI so hopefully by tomorrow I can get the interview scheduled.  Finally things are moving!!!!!!


Have you read this yet? http://photos.state....f2_rtf2_001.pdf

If not, then you'd better get busy.



TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-08 21:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAssigning NVC case number
Your case number is imminent. Call the NVC every day until you get it.

Once you get your MNL case number, your fiancée can pay the visa application fee at BPI and you can schedule an Embassy interview appointment 4-24 hours later. Things are going to speed up now!


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-08 20:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Support

You don't even need to show any bank info or savings etc if your current income meets or is over the guidelines. Only send the current income proof.

  
^^^. This.


As long as you exceed the guideline you shouldn't have a problem.  If you were right at the cutoff you might want to be prepared with more info, but you are well over.  I didn't send any bank, property, life insurance or other asset info as my income exceeded the guidelines by a comfortable margin.  With only 2 people total, $33k is a comfortable margin.  You do want to include as much confirmation of that income as possible (tax returns, pay stubs, letter from employer, etc.) to fully demonstrate your income, but that should be all you need.
 
Good luck!

^^^ And this.

Edited by Tahoma, 08 May 2013 - 08:18 PM.





TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-08 20:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview

Yes, schedule the interview.

 

If you don't have the new NBI clearance by the time of your interview, then go to your interview anyway.  You will be able to complete your interview, but the consular officer will issue you form 221g.  The 221g will tell you to send a new NBI to the Embassy via 2GO.  The process will cost you a week or so, but at least you don't have to reschedule the interview.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-09 10:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavits from friends?

...a co-sponsor sponsor however is required.

^^^  Fixed.

 

OP...It's a rare case where affidavits would be needed at a K-1 interview in Manila.  However, I believe it's a good idea to bring them along in case the consular officer needs more proof of a bona fide relationship.  You probably don't need to get them notarized.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-09 11:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresYour address was changed relating to the I129F & a question

How long can I delay receiving and using the visa? , 6 months to use the visa.


Once your petition is approved by the USCIS, it's valid for four months. Before your petition expires, you can extend it's validity for another four months by emailing the U.S. Embassy Manila (USEM) and requesting it.

The Embassy will extend the validity of your petition once or twice more beyond the first extension if you request it. They Embassy is pretty good about extending petitions if you keep them informed.

Then, once you complete the medical and the interview, and the visa is issued, the visa will be valid for six months from the date of the medical. Generally, the medical is completed a week or two before the interview.

If there are problems with the medical, such as testing for TB, then it will extend the time before the interview another few months. In that case, you'll have three months less time to use the visa.

Here's the USEM email address: http://manila.usemba...e/wwwh3230.html









TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-10 18:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI129F filed

I don't know whether or not you need to count your ex-wife or her children in your household size.  I hope someone will chime in to answer that question.  If you have to count both of her children, it will raise your household size from two to four.  In that case, it would raise your income requirement from $19387 to $29437.

 

 

At your fiancée's interview, the Filipino pre-screener at the U.S. Embassy Manila will almost certainly require your fiancée to submit your 2012 federal income tax return, your 2012 W-2, and a few of your current paycheck stubs.  There's also a good chance that the pre-screener will ask for your employer's letter.  I don't think submitting any older tax returns will do any good because the consular officer will be looking at your current sustained income.

 

If your fiancée doesn't submit these bare minimum requirements, I predict that the consular officer will issue her a form 221g which will require her to submit them before a visa decision is made.  Normally, you would have a one year period in which to satisfy the requirements of the 221g.  If this happens, at least it would give you some much-needed time to re-start your job (or get a new job) and collect some current paycheck stubs to submit to the Embassy.

 

Also, if your current sustained income falls short of the requirement, you could use liquid assets to make up the difference.  I believe they would require a 3:1 assets-to-income ratio.  You could also try to use a joint sponsor, but that's a hit-or-miss issue for K-1ers at the U.S. Embassy Manila.  It appears that the Embassy, at best, accepts K-1 joint sponsors half of the time.

 

About a week or two after your petition is approved by the USCIS, you can speed up the process by calling the National Visa Center (NVC) and getting your MNL case number.  Once you have your MNL case number, your fiancée can pay the visa application fee at BPI and schedule an appointment for an interview.  This will save you a month or more because you won't have to wait for the Embassy to send a snail mail via PhilPost telling her that she's eligible to schedule an interview and giving her instructions for preparing for her interview.  

 

You should read the Embassy letter.  Here's the link:  http://photos.state....f2_rtf2_001.pdf


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-11 11:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresShariah islam divorce

You won't have any problem with the consular officer.  The U.S. will recognize your divorce.

 

There's a chance the USCIS will want to see your divorce papers before they approve your fiancé's petition.  If so, they'll send him an RFE.  But it won't be a problem.  


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-13 12:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPetitioner's employment contract ended. Will this cause problems?

There's likely to be a problem at the interview if the beneficiary doesn't submit the petitioner's current paycheck stubs.  Current paycheck stubs demonstrate to the consular officer the petitioner's adequate current sustained income.  Current sustained income is one the best ways to show the consular officer that the beneficiary won't become a public charge in the U.S.  Also, submitting proof of liquid assets at a 3:1 ratio can offset the shortfall of income.

 

The U.S. Embassy Manila (USEM) accepts joint sponsors for K-1ers on a case-by-case basis.  I would estimate that they accept joint sponsors, at best, 50% of the time.  I've noticed that the USEM seems more likely to accept joint sponsors from young, educated Pinoys where the joint sponsor is a close family member.   

 

If the USEM won't accept the joint sponsor and won't approve the visa without the petitioner meeting the income guidelines, they will issue the beneficiary a 221g which gives the petitioner one year to comply with the income requirements.

 

On the other hand, you could choose to delay the interview until the petitioner had a steady job and had current paycheck stubs which would show that the petitioner's income, when calculated on an annualized basis, would meet the income guidelines.  Keep in mind that the USCIS-approved petition is valid for four months.  The petition can be extended for another four months by requesting it from the USEM.  I believe the USEM can extend the petition twice more.  That would give the petitioner time to find a steady job and gather a few current paycheck stubs before the interview.

 

When joint sponsors and income are an issue, I recommend that the petitioner attend the interview.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-13 10:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFee paid at NVC for K1 visa
The Embassy no longer uses Delbros. Ignore it.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-14 16:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview looming

I am a contractor at a well known insurance company. My pay stubs say that I work for 'abc' IT contracting company. Only my I134, what should I put down? 'ABC' IT contracting for 'XYZ' Insurance?


Yes, and thoroughly explain it to your fiancée so she understands the difference.

TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-15 18:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134, photocopy with signature only

Hello Everyone , I am the Fiance of " meandterry ".  To answer her question ......I sent to her Photocopies of Form 1040 for the following Tax Years ....2012.....2011...2010....2009....2008.....2007 and 2003 . I also sent her a Tax Transcript from the IRS for Tax Year 2011 and the letter that came with that and this is the Original . So ...in my opinion ..... the Original Letter and Tax Trancript for Tax Year 2011 along with my Photocopy of form 1040 Tax Year 2011 should prove something . Thanks ....Terry

 

I agree with Hank: the Embassy doesn't care about your old tax returns nor do they care about your 2011 tax transcript.  Your 2012 tax return is the one that counts.

 

Additionally, it's highly likely that the Embassy will ask for some of your current paycheck stubs.  The idea there is that you need to prove to the consular officer that your current sustained income (on an annualized basis) is enough to surpass the income guidelines.

 

Also, your letter and your tax payment will not prove anything useful to a consular officer in determining your current sustained income or your assets.

 

 


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-18 10:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134, photocopy with signature only

1.  What was your fiancé's income in 2012?  

 

2.  What amount did your fiancé enter on line 7 of his I-134 where it says: "I derive an annual income of:"?

 

3.  What is the amount of your fiancé's current sustained income?  To calculate your fiancé's current sustained income, take his current monthly income (based upon his current paystubs) and multiply by 12 months.  The result will give you the amount of this current sustained income.  What is that amount?


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-16 10:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMedical of Visa Appointment

 

You can schedule the interview appointment and ADJUST the medical exam so it will be finished a week (or more) before your scheduled embassy interview.

 

SLEC is on a first come, first served basis.  You don't need to make an appointment with them.  http://www.slec.ph/u...pplicants.shtml

 

Example:  If you choose JUNE 18, 2013 as your embassy interview, then you can already do your medical exam at anytime starting MAY 20 until JUNE 21 13.

^^^  Fixed.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-18 10:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMedical of Visa Appointment

 
Thanks for this info. I had the same question in mind. I wanted to complete my medical first before scheduling an interview. I've undergone lung surgery so I'm pretty sure, I'll be one of those who would need to do the sputum test which will delay the interview for about 2 months. 
 
So for as long as you have the NOA2 or MNL Case number, you can schedule the medical prior to the embassy interview, right?


In my opinion, it's better for you to have your NVC letter. Your NVC letter will have your MNL case number on it.

On the other hand, you can book an interview appointment before you go to your medical, and if you have to undergo the two-month sputum culture, St. Lukes will reschedule your interview appointment (or you yourself can reschedule your interview appointment).


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-17 16:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMedical of Visa Appointment

I think the OP might have been asking if the medical can be completed before the interview appointment.  You actually cannot complete the medical if you do not have an interview appointment scheduled.  You must supply proof of the appointment which means you have already paid the visa fee.

A K-1er can complete their St. Lukes medical even if they have not scheduled an Embassy interview appointment.  St. Lukes will allow you to be admitted for the medical if you have your NVC letter.  Also, many VJers have reported being admitted into St. Lukes by verbally giving them their MNL case number.  There have even been reports of people being admitted using only their USCIS NOA approval letter.  


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-17 10:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMedical of Visa Appointment

Here's how to do it:

 

1.  Pay the visa application fee at BPI.

 

2.  Schedule an Embassy interview appointment either online or by phone.

 

3.  Complete the medical at St. Lukes.

 

4.  Attend your Embassy interview.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-17 09:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat should I expect for an RFE deadline?
I could be dead wrong about it, but I think the deadline for responding to an RFE is 30 days from the date the USCIS mails the RFE hard copy.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-14 15:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2

...If you had no intention of answering the question, then why did you reply?...

Since you can't read between the lines, I'll slow it down for you.  Here are the answers to your questions:

 

1.  Nothing.

 

2.  Nope.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-18 13:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2

Have you been in a coma for the past six and-a-half months?  The USCIS doesn't hurry anything.  Your approval was only ten days ago!  If you don't get a hard copy in the next week or two, call them or email them.

 

Right now, you should be focusing like a laser beam on something else: you should be calling the NVC every day in order to get your MNL case number.  Once you have your MNL case number, you can pay the visa fee at BPI and schedule an Embassy interview appointment. What are you waiting for?

 

Also, read this:  http://photos.state....on_rtf2_005.pdf


Edited by Tahoma, 18 May 2013 - 01:00 PM.

TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-18 12:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC

Seeing how you already went through this process, yes you would have an answer to the OPs question (how long does it usually take to send it over there) as it applied to your timeframe experience.
 
I have always enjoyed reading your information replies to others and my own questions in the past, thanks.

Unlike the OP's case, my case was never in AP. And I can't remember any cases where the NVC put a Manila-bound K-1er in AP, so I can't give a timeframe.

@OP...Keep checking with the NVC. Hopefully your case won't be held up for too long. If nothing else, you could always reschedule the interview.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-16 18:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC

Sorry, missed that part but why are people on this site so quick to point out errors on posts yet don't answer the OPs questions?

Are you implying that I have an answer to the OP's question?

 

I can't speak for others, but I point out errors so that others with less experience will not be unnecessarily confused by the already-daunting process.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-16 10:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC

...we have a interview date of june 5th...

 

 

Don't forget to print off the payment slip and go to a BPI bank to pay for the interview.  About 4 hours after that you should be able to go into the embassies website to setup the fiancee's profile as K1 and if you have a K2 going with it that will be later.  Set up her profile information and then if you have K2, add child and set up that profile.   Now to select a date and be done.

They already have an interview appointment.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-16 10:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 question

Thanks for the info. i went ahead and got the interview scheduled. One more question, do you know once you get the visa, when that expires? is it 6 months from interview or medical?  thanks

The visa is valid for six months from the date of the medical.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-25 12:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 question

Your USCIS-approved petition is valid for four months.  Do not let it expire.  Because you are a K-1 case, the U.S. Embassy Manila (USEM) has no way of knowing whether or not you intend to pursue your case because there are no papers you send to them.  If necessary, email the USEM and request an extension.  They will give you a four-month extension.  

 

However, since you have your trip scheduled, why don't you go ahead right now and schedule the interview appointment.  The interview itself does not have to be on or before June 24th.  You just have to do the scheduling before June 24th.  If the USEM is not yet scheduling appointments that far out, then just wait a week or so and try to schedule again.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-18 13:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa packet

The U.S. Embassy Manila sometimes sends the beneficiary a snail mail via PhilPost which informs the beneficiary that they are eligible to schedule an interview.  The letter also gives the beneficiary instructions on how to prepare for the interview.  

 

Some beneficiaries receive the letter.  Others do not.  Don't wait around for it.  You don't need it.  If you want to read it, you can click here: http://photos.state....on_rtf2_005.pdf

 

By the way, pay no attention to how a U.S. Embassy in any other country does things.  Their K-1 process may be much different than the process at the U.S. Embassy Manila.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-25 11:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAppeal or not to appeal?

I would re-file.  I wouldn't use an attorney.  You can save money by using this website.

 

By the way, I don't think you need to wait 30 days to re-file.  


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-25 10:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFilipino applicants?

When the U.S. Embassy receives a K-1 case from the National Visa Center (NVC), the Embassy sometimes sends a letter via PhilPost to the beneficiary informing the beneficiary that they are eligible to pay the visa fee at BPI and then schedule an interview.  The letter also gives the beneficiary instructions on how to prepare for the interview. However, the Embassy does not always send the letter.  Some people never receive it.  You don't need the letter.  

 

About a week or two after their petition is approved by the USCIS, many Manila K-1ers take a shortcut by calling the NVC and getting their MNL case number.  Once you have your MNL case number, the beneficiary can pay the visa application fee at BPI and schedule an interview appointment. 

 

By the way, if you want to read the Embassy's eligibility letter, click here: http://photos.state....on_rtf2_005.pdf


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-25 11:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNewbie about the file for K1 visa with some concerns

You shouldn't have any problem with the age gap at the U.S. Embassy Manila.

 

As for the rest of your story, if your fiancée knows all of the details, she won't have a problem at her Embassy interview.

 

The only place your fiancée may encounter problems is during the CFO seminar.  Make sure she knows all the details about you and your ex-wife, and make sure she brings along a copy of your divorce papers.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-06-03 10:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat's next?

Thank you very much. But am i already considered eligible? Ive called the USEM and they said that once my petition is received from NVc they will still have to check it. If its okay thats when theyll send me that notice or letter.

Yes, you are eligible to schedule an interview.  The Embassy prefers that you wait and schedule an interview after they have received your case from the NVC and after they have sent you an eligibility letter.  However, it's not required to wait.  You can schedule an interview once you have your MNL case number and you pay the visa application fee at BPI.

 

If Chinook had waited for the Embassy to send her an eligibility letter, she would still be in 'pinas.  She never received an eligibility letter.  


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-06-06 08:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat's next?

Hi! Did you not wait a letter of eligibility from USEM before you set your appointment? Because that was what i have been waiting for since i got my MNL #. My case though is ready since may 3.

You don't need to wait for your eligibility letter from the U.S. Embassy Manila.  Since you already have your MNL case number, go ahead and pay the visa application fee at BPI and then schedule your interview appointment.

 

If you want to read the Embassy's letter, click here: http://photos.state....on_rtf2_005.pdf


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-05-25 13:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresinterview for k1

I believe that you may be confusing "visa petition" (USCIS) and "visa application" (Dept. of State). 

^^^  This...good.gif


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-06-06 10:13:00