ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesK-1 Manila Philippines Interview Notification

There recently was a Filipina who rushed things too much and was turned away at her interview as her file had not arrived from NVC.  If you allow 4 weeks or so between when you get your MNL # and when you schedule the interview the file should be at USEM by then.


Do you have a link for that case? If it's true, it would be the first time I've seen it happen in the thousands of cases I've seen pass through here.

TahomaMalePhilippines2014-02-20 13:36:00
PhilippinesK-1 Manila Philippines Interview Notification

If somebody could please offer me 100% for sure info that would be great. Ive heard so many different versions. 1......some people say once the nvc sends manila the approved I-129 all you have to do is call for an appt. some people say the embassy must send you a packet with instructions, some people say the embassy sends you nothing. yet here in the states you will receive a notice that clearly states the embassy will be sending something to the applicant. my fiancé has no address she lives way way out in the boonies!!!!!     2.......some say you have to now take an affidavit of support to the interview, some say you don't.......3......some say the medical apt takes your passport and forwards it to the embassy on the day of your interview, some say they don't........so much miss information its just horrible!!!!!!!!


1. If you wanted to go by the book, you would wait for the NVC to send your petition to the U.S. Embassy Manila (USEM), and then wait for the USEM to send the beneficiary their interview preparation instructions letter, and then schedule an interview appointment.

However, the problem with that process is that it wastes a lot of time. First, it takes a lot of time for the beneficiary to receive the USEM's instruction letter. Second, some beneficiaries never receive the instruction letter. Five years later, Chinook and I are still waiting for the instruction letter.

You don't have to waste time waiting for the instruction letter. There's a shortcut. The shortcut is to call the NVC and get your MNL case number. Once you have your MNL case number, you can pay the visa application fee at BPI and, the next day or so, go online and schedule an interview appointment. Then, a week or two before the interview, you can complete the medical.

Note: Your petition packet must be at the USEM in time for the interview. I have never seen anyone have a problem with that issue when they used the shortcut.

Note: You can read the USEM's interview preparation instructions letter on their website. It's here: http://photos.state....4 Feb 2014_.pdf

2. Yes, the beneficiary must submit the affidavit of support at the interview. Check out the USEM's instructions letter.

3. In the old days, St. Lukes kept your passport and forwarded it to the USEM. Nowadays, they return your passport to you when you complete the medical.













TahomaMalePhilippines2014-02-20 12:34:00
PhilippinesI-29F approved, MNL# received, what's next?

What is the exact process?

And what exact documents are needed?


Now that you have your MNL case number:

1. Pay the $240 visa application fee at BPI.

2. 4-24 hours after paying the visa application fee, schedule the interview either online or through the call center.

3. Pre-register for the medical on St. Lukes Extension Center's website and complete the medical a week or two before the interview.

4. Pass the interview.

5. Complete the CFO seminar either before or after the Embassy interview. If you complete the CFO seminar before the interview, you'll have to return to the CFO to get their sticker affixed to your passport.

Get started on gathering your documents. Here's the letter that the Embassy is supposed to send. It tells the beneficiary that they are eligible to schedule an interview, and it gives them instructions on how to prepare for the interview:

http://photos.state....tober 2013_.pdf

Don't wait to receive this letter because it will cost you time. Sometimes the letter never arrives.
















TahomaMalePhilippines2014-01-28 21:54:00
Philippinesk1 okay to visit Hawaii? poe sfo
Enjoy your Hawaiian honeymoon!

Try a loco moko...they are masarap.

PS...I think you can go to U.S. territories without any problem.




TahomaMalePhilippines2014-02-20 20:26:00
PhilippinesTracking Your Visa
Yes, it's still at the Embassy. I hope you have in your hands soon!!!
TahomaMalePhilippines2014-02-15 11:24:00
PhilippinesSLEC Manila advance medical
At the time that thread was posted, St. Lukes kept passports and forwarded them to the Embassy. That was standard operating procedure. In those days, St. Lukes would allow you to keep your passport only if you requested it because your interview was in the next few days.

However, St. Lukes no longer keeps passports.


TahomaMalePhilippines2014-02-23 14:46:00
PhilippinesQuality Control on NBI
Go to NBI Quality Control.
TahomaMalePhilippines2014-02-13 10:45:00
PhilippinesUS-Philippine Passport - Dual Citizenship

Use the U.S. passports going both ways.  If you are planning to stay in 'pinas for more than 21 days, when you arrive at NAIA, just tell the Philippines customs officer that you want to avail yourselves of the balikbayan privilege.  He'll stamp your U.S. passport and mark the stamp valid for one year.  

 

Chinook and I went to 'pinas on U.S. passports in January and we didn't even have to ask for the balikbayan privilege.  The Filipino customs officer automatically gave it to us.


TahomaMalePhilippines2013-04-30 11:55:00
PhilippinesJoint Sponsor
The USCIS does not issue visas. The Department of State issues visa. The guy at the USCIS was wrong. In my opinion, your chances of using a cosponsor to get approved at the U.S. Embassy Manila is, at best, 50/50.

I believe that it would help if your fiancé attended the interview.

Good luck!




TahomaMalePhilippines2014-02-28 21:02:00
PhilippinesI-693 for AOS

True, Tahoma! and there's a column too that says "Not Age Appropriate". :)


Please don't make me dig out Chinook's DS-3025 to see if that box was checked! lol

Seriously, your chances of getting an RFE for an I-693 is almost nonexistent.



TahomaMalePhilippines2014-02-28 21:15:00
PhilippinesI-693 for AOS

There's no logical reason why the rotavirus row be left blank in a DS-3025. Unless anybody can think of one, I still believe it's a very serious non-conformance to USEM standards/ guidelines.


Since the person's date of birth is on the DS-3025, maybe they thought it would be obvious that the person was over 59 months old.

TahomaMalePhilippines2014-02-28 18:18:00
PhilippinesI-693 for AOS
There have been a few isolated instances of people receiving RFE's when they did not submit an I-693. It was probably due to a USCIS newbie handling their case. The vast majority of people simply submit their DS-3025 and have no problem because that's what the I-485 directions call for.

If you decide to have a civil surgeon transcribe your DS-3025 onto an I-693 anyway, you shouldn't pay more than $30-40 for the service.


TahomaMalePhilippines2014-02-22 12:43:00
Philippineswhat is packet 3 and packet 4?

hello everyone!!! just wondering, what is packet 3 and 4 all about? i don't have this!! my interview is coming and my medical exam is on monday already...
 thanks in advance for all your kindness...


Hello!

The only thing the U.S. Embassy Manila sends to K-1 visa applicants is this: http://photos.state....4 Feb 2014_.pdf

Don't wait for it to arrive because it's always either late, or it never arrives at all. Chinook and I have been waiting for five years to receive the Embassy's interview preparation instruction letter. Just read it and follow the instructions.

Good luck with your medical and your interview.







TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-05 16:46:00
Philippinesmedical and interview in the same week

Thanks for all the replies. She will go ahead and do it all next week. If there is a delay hetting the visa its still better than rescheduling two months from now.


^^^ Good decision!

By the way, when she's at St. Lukes for her medical, she can explain her situation and ask them if they will allow her to take her medical results to her interview. St. Lukes has allowed this many times before.



TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-14 11:01:00
PhilippinesCFO
Here is the link to the CFO website: http://www.cfo.gov.p...onals&catid=140
TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-15 10:07:00
Philippinesready for interview
Here is the link to the U.S. Embassy Manila instructions letter: http://photos.state....4 Feb 2014_.pdf
TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-15 11:26:00
Philippinespreparing for interview
From the instructions:

VISA PHOTOGRAPHS. You must bring three (3) color photographs; two are for the visa and one is for the medical report. Size and format specifications must be strictly observed: Photos should measure 2 by 2 inches (roughly 50 mm square) with a white background and the head centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm) with the eye level between 1 1/8 inch and 1 3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. See http://travel.state....toreq_5334.html for detailed instructions.

http://photos.state....4 Feb 2014_.pdf




TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-17 12:50:00
PhilippinesPhilippine food banned by US Customs

Is bagoong banned too?


^^^ If it isn't banned, it should be banned!!! lol

The same with tuyo!!! lol



TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-17 12:08:00
PhilippinesCFO SMEF- Guidance and Counseling for Filipino Spouses
You will need to attend the CFO seminar and get a CFO sticker either in Manila or in Cebu.

Here is the CFO's website: http://www.cfo.gov.p...onals&catid=140


TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-15 09:59:00
PhilippinesHi everyone I have a quick question?

Hi, thank you for your reply, ??... Is that 6 working days to be exact?


It was four business days. It was six days including a weekend. We were lucky and didn't have to wait very long!

TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-18 10:01:00
PhilippinesHi everyone I have a quick question?
Chinook is from Bacolod. She got her visa ten days after her interview and six days after she submitted some documents the Embassy wanted.

I hope you get your visa malapit na malapit na!


TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-17 12:17:00
PhilippinesHi pls help .??
It means that you should start packing your bags, because you have a long flight malapit na!!! lol

Early Congratz!


TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-17 13:12:00
PhilippinesITIN
You don't need an ITIN nor a Social Security number to open a joint account. You need a new bank.

I opened a joint account for Chinook and I before we were married and while Chinook was still living in the Philippines.

Chinook emailed me her Philippines passport's bio page and another picture ID. I took those to the bank and opened the account. When I received the ATM card in Chinook's name, I sent it to her via FED EX.

When Chinook arrived in the U.S., we went to the bank and Chinook signed for the account. After we got married, we went back to the bank and Chinook changed the name on the account to her married name. No problems.






TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-17 13:05:00
PhilippinesIncome Question
Ean...You have a good game plan for your interview. The only other thing I would add is to have your petitioner attend the interview with you.
TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-18 09:55:00
PhilippinesIncome Question

They do not have to accept assets on a K-1 visa. They must be convinced the petitioner can support you and keep you off of government support. They don't even have to follow the 125% on a K-1, but if they don't feel the petitioner can support the beneficiary, they can still reject based on risk of public charge. I'm not sure why the petitioner in this case is low on income, but the ability to show that income will rise (a recently graduated student), and over exceeding assets are all helpful to get over the public charge issue. The embassy has considerable latitude on K-1/2 visas in deciding who is likely to become a public charge.
 

^^^ This.

Also, the consular officer can take into account the visa applicant's education, training, or special skills which would make them more employable in the U.S.

Ean, you could also gamble on trying to submit a cosponsor. At best, that's a 50/50 proposition at the U.S. Embassy Manila.




TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-17 12:33:00
Philippinesunder 221g, and didn't see fiance for almost 2 years, READY status
Congratz Chris and Jovie!
TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-21 09:35:00
Philippinesunder 221g, and didn't see fiance for almost 2 years, READY status
The two-year face-to-face meeting requirement applies at the time the petitioner files the I-129F petition. So, you have no problem.
TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-15 11:20:00
PhilippinesAppointment letter and USEM letter

Do I need to print this out for the interview?

  

Not the content in the link, sis.

^^^ That's correct. You don't need to print the content in the link.


TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-21 09:42:00
PhilippinesAppointment letter and USEM letter
When you schedule your interview, you will print out a few copies of the confirmation page.

The Embassy letter is a letter the Embassy is supposed to send to you. The Embassy letter tells you that you are eligible to schedule an interview and it gives you instructions on how to prepare for the interview.

You don't need to wait for the Embassy letter in order to schedule an interview. All you need to do is to get your MNL case number and pay the visa application fee.

Don't wait for the Embassy letter. Usually it arrives very late, and sometimes it doesn't arrive at all. Here is the Embassy letter: http://photos.state....4 Feb 2014_.pdf






TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-20 08:56:00
PhilippinesOh Wow....
Congratz M&M!!!

I hope you get that magical text from 2GO very soon!


TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-22 13:38:00
PhilippinesVisa issuance
Congratz jeranne28!



Hey everyone...getting your visa from the USEM can take anywhere from three days to three weeks...and sometimes longer.




TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-22 13:30:00
Philippineslets have some fun

Jollibee is the first place we are going to eat

  Jollibee is disgusting! Avoid it if you can.

I have made adobo so I would like to see how close mine is to the real thing lol.

Adobo recipes vary quite a bit depending on the region of the Philippines.


TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-24 11:26:00
Philippineslets have some fun

good.gif on your "good" list.
 
& You are spot on about the Baka. We tried every which way to find a decent tasting Steak....strike out.
 
I thought - almost frozen San Mig was okay with some Calamansi and a salted rim. Reminds me a bit of Mexican Beers.



Chinook and I had some fabulous meals at Fridays Resort on Boracay, but the steak was a complete strike out, and it wasn't inexpensive either! I mistakenly thought that if anyone would serve a delicious steak, it would be Fridays. There's so much good food in the Philippines that I won't waste my time with steak anymore.

You're right about the San Mig. It goes down okay with plenty of calamansi...lol


TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-22 17:20:00
Philippineslets have some fun
The good:
Fresh fruit juice or fruit shakes...mango...pineapple...watermelon...dalandan
Blue marlin
Gambas
Pancit molo
Prawns
Steamed clams
Kinilaw
Tinola
Monggo
Chicken inasal
Pork BBQ
And much more

The bad:
Steak
Hamburgers
Banana ketchup
Filipino beer

The ugly:
Bagaoong
Tuyo
Balut
Durian
























TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-22 13:10:00
Philippineschange name in passport
The Philippines Embassy in Washington D.C. has jurisdiction over Florida. Here's a schedule of their outreach events: http://www.philippin...reach-Schedule/
TahomaMalePhilippines2014-03-22 17:51:00
PhilippinesBe careful with St. Luke's and your 1st Green card

This issue is well covered in the AOS section of this web site, for us the I-693, cost us $25, and a short visit to aCivildoctor in our neighborhood (not all doctors are willing to do just the I-693 )without doing the exam, there are list in the AOS section of doctors who do by city.



I disagree that this issue is well covered in the VJ AOS section. The I-485 instructions, the I-693 instructions, and the USCIS website appear to disagree with the VJ AOS info. Also, the personal experiences of many VJ members are different than what the AOS Guide states.


Here is what I found in the VJ AOS section:

If you are a K-1, K-2, K-3 or K-4 visa holder the I-693 instructions state that you are not required to have another medical examination as long as your Form I-485 is filed within one year of your overseas medical examination. Regardless of if you are exempt from a medical exam, you are still required to complete certain portions of the I-693 and have a Civil Surgeon certify the form (and seal it in an evelope). Specifically, you will complete Part 1 (Information about you) of the I-693 and provide both the form and your DS-3025 (if you have it, proving your vaccination history) and any proof of required vaccinations that were completed prior to entering the US. If you do not have a copy of your DS-3025 you will need to provide sufficient evidence of your vaccination history to the Civil Surgeon (talk to the civil surgeon's office to discuss what vaccination records they accept as proof). If you do not have proof of your vaccination history the Civil Surgeon may insist on re-administering all the required vaccinations prior to completing the I-693. Once the Civil Surgeon has has verified that all required vaccinations have been performed, they will complete form I-693 Part 2 (the vaccination section) and Part 5 (the Civil Surgeon's Certification). They will then seal the form in an envelope and return it to you.

...and this...

11. I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status.I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status. If you are a K-1, K-2, K-3 or K-4 visa holder the I-693 instructions state that you are not required to have another medical examination as long as your Form I-485 is filed within one year of your overseas medical examination. If you are missing any shots from your overseas medical a I-693 vaccination transcription is required to be completed by seeing a Civil Surgeon to have certain portions of the I-693 completed and have the Civil Surgeon certify the form (sealing the original in an envelope and giving you a copy).



Here is what I found for K-1'ers in the I-485 instructions:

8. Fiancé(e)s

If you are a K-1 Fiancé(e) or a K-2 dependent who had a medical examination within the last year as required for the non-immigrant fiancé(e) visa, you only need to submit a vaccination supplement, not the entire medical report. You may include the vaccination supplement with your Form I-485.

Here is what I found for K-1'ers in the I-693 instructions:

2. Even if a new medical exam is not required, you must still show proof that you complied with the vaccination requirements. If the vaccination record (DS-3025) was not properly completed and included as part of the original overseas medical examination report, you will have to have the vaccination report completed by a designated civil surgeon. In this case, you are required to submit the vaccination record and page 1 of I-693.

Here is what the USCIS website says about K-1'ers:

Even if a new medical examination is not required, you still must show proof that you have complied with the vaccination requirements. If the vaccination record (DS 3025) was not properly completed and included as part of the original, overseas medical examination report, you will have to have the vaccination report completed by a designated civil surgeon. In this case, you are required to submit Part 1, Information About You, Part 2, the vaccination chart, and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon's Certification, of Form I-693 (in an envelop sealed by the civil surgeon). Please see the instructions for Form I-693 for further information. USCIS link.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-25 15:24:00
PhilippinesBe careful with St. Luke's and your 1st Green card

I filed my AOS (approved yesterday) without sending I-693. I just sent a copy of my DS-3025. My DS-3025 states that my vaccines are incomplete but a check on a box with something like "applicable to blanket waiver.. " or something . I read here in VJ that if your ds3025 has that, u don't have to fill out I-693. I never had an issue with my medical.

It appears that some people who are in the same boat as you are getting RFE's.
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-24 12:20:00
PhilippinesBe careful with St. Luke's and your 1st Green card

If the DS-3025 is the vacinnation record from St Luke's we sent that with the AOS packet....the I-693 was used when we got the request for evidence and mailed that with the request for evidence notice. However, if you were to get additional vacinnations in the USA before submitting the AOS packet, do you have to send both the DS-3025 and I-693 with the AOS packet?

Thanks for your reply. I'm still trying to figure out the mysterious ways of the USCIS in regard to the DS-3025 (vaccination record) and the I-693.

The way I understand it's supposed to work is that you should be able to submit the DS-3025 alone if the required vaccinations are complete. The vaccinations should be considered complete because normally St. Lukes already gave you all of the vaccinations which are age appropriate such as TDap, MMR, Varicella, and the flu shot (if it's flu season). The rest of the vaccinations would not be age appropriate.

Based upon your DS-3025, the USCIS is supposed to waive the vaccinations which are not age appropriate, and also waive the vaccinations which require a time interval before a second dose, such as Varicella.

What I see happening more and more is that the USCIS is issuing RFE's to those who submitted a DS-3025 and whose vaccinations technically are complete, but who did not have the DS-3025 transcribed onto an I-693 by a civil surgeon. It appears that those who had their DS-3025 transcribed onto an I-693 and submitted the I-693 do not get an RFE even if they did not receive any more vaccinations in the U.S.

Some people simply submit only their DS-3025 and never receive an RFE. The mystery continues...
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-24 10:26:00
PhilippinesBe careful with St. Luke's and your 1st Green card
Did you originally include the DS-3025 with the AOS packet, or did you send in the I-693 with the AOS packet?
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-10-23 19:46:00
PhilippinesHow to Cancel a K1 that has been approved
Or, you can email the USEM: http://manila.usemba...e/wwwh3230.html
TahomaMalePhilippines2014-04-03 11:20:00