Can I go to medical yet?

[BigJohn 4]

We did a DCF at the manila embassy. Our applicaton was approved and we sent in packet 3 requesting an interview date earlier this week. I am going to try and call next week to see if we can get an interview date set fast after they've had a few days to process the paperwork, which should have been received yesterday. Hoping for an interview in January (Dec would be great but not holding my breath on that one).

Question is, I have the packet 3 cover letter on the official US Embassy stationary with watermark with my MNL case #. I would like to take her for the medical in mid-December as I am going to be in Manila anyway and if I wait til January I can't go with her as i'll be back in the US. If I don't get an interview date by early december, can I use the packet 3 cover letter with my MNL case # to go to the medical and get in? I am hoping I can get confirmation on the appointment before I go to manila, but in case I don't...

Also, it seems people go really early to get good #s to be seen. If I go to st. lukes around 2 or 3am so we can be one of the first there, is it a safe area where we don't have to worry too much about getting robbed or harassed in the middle of the night?

Also what's the deal with the biometrics (fingerprinting)? how much is it and when is that done -- on interview day??

[Tahoma 2,291]

We did a DCF at the manila embassy. Our applicaton was approved and we sent in packet 3 requesting an interview date earlier this week. I am going to try and call next week to see if we can get an interview date set fast after they've had a few days to process the paperwork, which should have been received yesterday. Hoping for an interview in January (Dec would be great but not holding my breath on that one).

Question is, I have the packet 3 cover letter on the official US Embassy stationary with watermark with my MNL case #. I would like to take her for the medical in mid-December as I am going to be in Manila anyway and if I wait til January I can't go with her as i'll be back in the US. If I don't get an interview date by early december, can I use the packet 3 cover letter with my MNL case # to go to the medical and get in? I am hoping I can get confirmation on the appointment before I go to manila, but in case I don't...

Also, it seems people go really early to get good #s to be seen. If I go to st. lukes around 2 or 3am so we can be one of the first there, is it a safe area where we don't have to worry too much about getting robbed or harassed in the middle of the night?

Also what's the deal with the biometrics (fingerprinting)? how much is it and when is that done -- on interview day??

Hi BigJohn...

I have read here on VJ where K-1 Fiancé(e) visa beneficiaries have been allowed to complete their medical with only their NOA2. It would be a safer bet to show manong guard at St. Lukes their NOA2 and their NVC Manila case number.

For Direct Consular filings like yours, I don't know for sure, but I believe your official cover letter with your MNL case number might do the trick. However, you would likely get better answers to this question in the DCF forum.

I think it's a big waste of time to go to St. Lukes as early as you suggest. Chinook and her friend arrived at St. Lukes for the first day of their medical just before lunch and they were finished in the same amount of time as those who showed up during the wee hours of the morning. It was the same way for them on the second day. There's really no reason to go early. Sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, and avoid the morning rush. Go in later instead.

The fingerprinting is done on interview day...a little while before the interview.

[BigJohn 4]

Thanks on the advice. Most of the people in the DCF forum tho are non-philippines so i think my best bet is here hopefully someone else will know on whether the embassy letter is enough

[prettyrick 0]

you can have your medical even if you only have the letter from the embassy with the manila case number.