Manila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

[Skeeter211 2]

PW, Lira received her visa on 5-16-07--- 7 days.

A big congrats to you both there Chad and Lira!

Scott (and Mirasol)

[Skeeter211 2]

Ooops! Sorry PW!

I forgot to post in this thread, hehehe! Going crazy now! :-)

Yes we finally got our visa after being refused at the interview cuz of my small income. Don't need much to live on here in Oregon and I had plenty of assets that NVC accepted.

Anyway, the CO told Lorna I needed a co-sponsor.

Yes, the papers got to the CO only 6 days after getting to the Embassy. I was shocked cuz it was so fast.

And actually it took 5 biz days for delbros to deliver to CEBU(lapu-Lapu)

Anyway Its been so great having this site to learn from and ask questions and read about other's adventures. But especially to keep me company while I went through the visa process without my wife.

Thanks everyone. Bought the tickets (NWA $850.00 to Medford Oregon)

Lorna will be here June 6 after she spends a week in Basilan visiting her family and saying goodbye!

Love you guys.... God bless and I pray for everyone's happiness and success.

Mike & Lorna

WOW!!!! So happy for you two. I know that must be a big relief to have that weight lifted off yer shoulders. Good luck in your new married life in the USA!

Scott (and Mirasol)

[Biscuit 0]

LINA had her interview May 16 and she's APPROVED!!!! CONGRATS LINA!

[Dean iWait 0]

pardon my ignorance everyone but what is the difference between tax transcripts and income tax return filed copy? or are they the same?

rea

they are different. The tax transcript is a record of your return that you can order by phone from the irs at 1 800 829 1040. I heard the embassy prefers the transcript to the actual return. It's a free service and I got my 2005 and 2006 transcripts in less than a week.

The embassy actually prefers a copy of your tax return NOT the transcript. If you show up with only transcipts you may be very disappointed. All they asked from me is 2006 tax return.

We used the transcript without any disappointment.

we used transcripts also. no problem.

thank you all for the replies, i have talked to my fiance and we decided to use his tax return for the past 3 years...if some of you are saying that either transcript or tax return did not post any problems then we can opt to just settle with the tax return only..watchutink?

Looks like either copies of tax returns or transcripts are just fine. You will probably only need most recent filed (2006) tax return, however no harm in having last 3 years just in case, we did.

[~Chad~ 0]

Thanx Scott!

A big congrats to Lina!!

[gracy_byron 0]

Congrats Lira and Lina ....................

[joemaria 0]

Congrats Lira and Lina ....................

To Lira, Lina,skeeter211, dims1...ChEeRs!!!

Gracy goodluck on your interview tomorrow, im sure u can make it too!

[over 0]

Hey Guys, and Gals.

Congrats on all the good news, it's nice to see people approved without that nasty little AR to follow up. And the same to all those yet to come, may the approvals and Visas keep on coming.

With all our best wishes..

Randy N Rose

[sunandmoon 450]

Is there any possibility that I-130 will be adjudicated earlier than I-129F? As you can see in my timeline, my I-130 (June 5) is near to being approved as compared with my I-129F (June 23). If in case, what should I do? We have not submitted my child's I-130 yet, since we plan to doing so during AOS. Definitely, I will not leave my child here in the Philippines. Please advise.

when you attend the K-3 interview, you are not giving up the CR-1. As PW earlier pointed out, the processing of a CR-1 Visa was running 3-5 months behind that of a K Visa. That is why many married couples pursue the K-3 Visa. It allows the couple to be together sooner in the USA. Recently it seems the CR-1 processing has been catching up to the K-3 Visa. that is why you now see many with K-3 interviews having their CR-1 interview only a couple of weeks after their K- interview.

I think the best way to go would be with the K-3 since your child would be able to obtain a k-4. that way you'll be able to come here at the same time. hopefully your child was listed in the 129f. if not, I would contact the Embassy when the 129f arrives at the Embassy and request your child be added to it.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Manila Embassy K1 Visa Guide… (Final Version)

Starting Line

(K1 Introduction) - If you are just starting your K1 visa journey, please check out this information provided by the Department of State (DOS) on the K1 visa experience [CLICK HERE]. I found this information very insightful when I first started. Please note that the "How to Apply for a Social Security Number Card" section is INCORRECT because K1 visa beneficiaries may ONLY apply for a SSN card upon arriving into the United States. Please also review VJ's K1 guide [CLICK HERE]

(K1 Visa Immigration Stages) - A simplified and theoretical overview of the five (5) stages involved in the K1 Visa process, according to Sheriff Uling [CLICK HERE].

Post NOA1 (Receipt Notice) Information

(Case Status) - Once you have filed the petition (I-129F) and received a "receipt number" (listed on the NOA1), please register on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website using the Case Status Online Tool [CLICK HERE] to receive emailed updates concerning your petition. NOTE: If you want emailed updates to multiple addresses then you must create multiple customer portfolio accounts. When your petition is approval (NOA2), the USCIS forwards your package to the National Visa Center normally within 14 days. The Case Status Online Tool is of no further use to you until after the beneficiary arrives in the United States, get's married, applies for the Adjustment of Status (AOS), Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and/or Advance Parole (AP) because this tool does not track the activity being performed at the National Visa Center (NVC) or the Manila Embassy.

Post NOA2 (Approval Notice) Information

(1). The National Visa Center (NVC) number is within my signature. NVC assigns a case number after a preliminary backgroud/name check has cleared, then forwards your case files electronic and via snail mail to the Manila Embassy. This normally takes approximately 14 - 30 days to complete. Have the USC (petitioner) call (the number is within my signature) or email your inquiry to NVCINQUIRY@state.gov (be sure to include the beneficiary's name, date of birth, place of birth, and receipt number). A NVC Processing Letter [SAMPLE HERE] (a.k.a. Bureau of Consular Affairs (BCA) letter) may or may not be sent to the USC (petitioner), which indicates the case number and approximate time when the case files will be sent to the Manila Embassy. This complimentary NVC Processing Letter (a.k.a. Bureau of Consular Affairs (BCA) letter) is not required for any stage in the immigration process.

(2). The Manila Embassy (USE) number is within my signature. Please review this instructional visa interview and layout information [CLICK HERE] (Thx Sillygirl). The average visa interview appointment/medical exam are scheduled by the USE approximately 90 – 120 days after the receipt of your package sent by the NVC. Even though the USE has received you package electronically, the process will not begin until the paper copy is received via snail mail.

The beneficiary may or may not received a Letter of Receipt [SAMPLE HERE] (Thx PW) accompanied by a Document Preparation Letter [SAMPLE HERE] (Thx PW) from the USE once their physical files are delivered to the USE from the NVC via snail mail. Don't be mistakened, this is NOT Packet 3 because the USE ONLY issues Packet 4. At times, the USE fails to send the beneficiary the Letter of Receipt and Document Preparation Letter, which is of no real consequence and may arrive in approximately 30 - 60 days.

However, the beneficiary SHOULD and NEEDS to receive an Appointment Letter [SAMPLE HERE] accompanied by the infamous Packet 4 [MODIFIED SAMPLE HERE], which should arrive approximately 60 - 90 days after the receipt of the hard-copy case file sent by the NVC to the USE. The Packet 4 currently sent from the USE to the beneficiaries INCORRECTLY states that the DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) is validated by the banks upon paying the visa application fee. The pdf file for the Packet 4 link (above) is modified to CORRECTLY read that the DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Application is the form validated by the bank upon paying the visa application fee.

As of 01 November 2006, ALL nonimmigrant visa applicants MUST use the online Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) to complete the DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) at http://evisaforms.state.gov. You may complete the DS-156K (Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa Application), and the DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and the I-134 (Affidavit of Support) via computer (recommended), type-writer (just as good), or handwritten (last resort). To review the K1 Visa Forms (DS-156, DS-156K, DS-157, & I-134) most Frequently Asked Questions [CLICK HERE]. To review the Manila Embassy Thread's recommendations on what to bring (which directly corresponds to the document preparation letter and Packet 4 sent by the USE) and sample questions asked by the Consular Officer during the visa interview [CLICK HERE]. If you need to call the USE, dial 0 for the operator, and ask for the Immigrant Visa Unit (even though the K1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa, they are handled like immigrant visa because of the intent to migrate to the United States). The best time to call is between 7:30am – 8:30am Manila time or you run the risk of not getting through because they are constantly on the phone. Effective 01 March 2007, cellphones and other electronic devices will NOT be permitted into the US Embassy and applicants who bring such devices will be DENIED entry.

Be advised once the beneficiary reaches the pre-screeners, the majority of them are very direct, rude, and mean, so don't be alarmed or discouraged by them.

(3).The Department of State (DOS) number is within my signature. After your case is approved (NOA2) and reaches the Manila Embassy, you may call DOS instead on the Manila Embassy to obtain status of your case and make inquiries concerning your interview date. NOTE: DOS has no direct participation in the K1 process.

(4). The Visa Interview Appointments website is within my signature (the beneficiary's interview appointment and medical exam will be scheduled by the USE). NOTE: Please do NOT press enter after the case number is entered because that will not yield a result. Please click on the "Check Appointment" tab. If the appointments have been scheduled, the following will be available: Case Number, Visa Classification, St. Luke's appointment Date, and Embassy Appointment Date, but if the appointments are NOT scheduled yet, the result will be "Case Number Not Found on Appointment List."

(5). St. Luke's Extension Clinic (SLEC) information is within my signature. SLEC is where the beneficiary goes to take the medical exam and receive vaccination shots.

The process takes two days:

Day 1 is the medical exam (the beneficiary's passport will be taken and sent to the USE along with the medical exam results) and;

Day 2 is the vaccination (the beneficiary will be given the x-ray film and the vaccination worksheet/record).

NOTE: If the Manila Embassy does not mail the beneficiary the K1 Visa Packet 4 and the Appointment Letter, then call SLEC in order to pick them up at SLEC and take a copy of the NOA2, a copy of the NVC letter (which should have the beneficiary's Manila case number on it), and a print-out of the scheduled appointment dates from the Visa Interview Appointments website. Be advised, the beneficiary's medical exam will be scheduled one week before the visa interview by the USE. Per the Manila Embassy Thread, we recommend that the beneficiary takes the medical exam anywhere from 2 weeks to a month before the interview to ensure the results are available for the Consular Officer and to prepare in the unfortunate event of unfavorable medical results. If the medical exam is taken anytime over a month before the visa interview, there is a risk that the results could be invalid, which means the beneficiary will have to take another medical exam before the visa can be approved. The beneficiary may reschedule the medical exam appointment with SLEC after the medical exam and visa interview dates are assigned by calling SLEC. Please don't forget to bring your passport, appointment letter (if received), passport photos (the size of the photos should be 2 inches by 2 inches [see Packet 4, page 8]), and the medical exam fee to your appointment. The beneficiary also needs to have the sponsors contact information (address, phone number, and ssn #) for the SLEC forms. To review the Manila Embassy Thread's recommendations on what to bring and sample questions asked [CLICK HERE], but most importantly, please also review this instructional and layout information [CLICK HERE] (Thx Sillygirl).

Post Visa Approval / Delivery Information

(6). The DELBROS website is within my signature. DELBROS is the company responsible for delivering the beneficiary's Visa and POE information. The DELBROS delivery fee is paid subsequent to the beneficiary's visa interview at the Manila Embassy. The only way to correspond with Delbros is via text, which can be extremely frustrating if you visa delivery is delayed. Per the Manila Embassy website, the current delivery fee/time is as follows:

* Metro Manila Areas, 135 Philippine Pesos, Delivered one (1) to three (3) business days after release of visaed passport to the courier

* Provincial Key Cities (ex. Cebu City, Davao City, etc.) 165 Philippine Pesos; Delivered three (3) to five (5) business days after release of visaed passport to the courier

* Outside Provincial Key Cities, (ex. Capiz, Leyte, Bukidnon, etc.), Cost depends on area/location, Delivered five (5) to seven (7) business days after release of visaed passport to the courier

NOTE: Per the DELBROS staff, the Manila Embassy can take as much as three (3) business days to release the visa and POE package, which is NOT included in the deliver times above. You may also call the Manila Embassy, dial 0 for the operator, and ask for Delbros, after the visa is approve, to acquire about the status of your visa delivery. The only other way to contact DELBROS is via text message (that's right... text message).

(7). Beneficiaries are required to attend a CFO Guidance and Counseling Seminar that are held in Manila and Cebu, whichever is more convenient, before traveling abroad (the corresponding links within my signature). Attending the CFO Guidance and Counseling Seminar is a Philippine government requirement which states, "Per Republic Act 8239 and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Order 28-94, Filipinos proceeding abroad as fiancé(e)s and spouses of foreign nationals are required to attend the CFO's guidance and counseling programs... " For more info [CLICK HERE]. The Guidance and Counseling Seminar can be completed at any time and the certificate does not expire.

The CFO requirement consists of two parts:

Part 1, Guidance and Counseling Seminar (a certificate of completion is given at the conclusion); and

Part 2, a CFO Sticker placed inside of the passport/visa (requires the Guidance and Counseling Certificate).

In Cebu, the Guidance and Counseling Seminar and the CFO Sticker are both administered and handled at the CFO in Cebu. Conversely, in Manila, the Guidance and Counseling Seminar is administered at PRISM (on Taft Ave in Manila) and the CFO Sticker is given at the CFO in Manila. For both locations, the CFO Sticker can only be applied to the passport/visa once the beneficiary receives the Guidance and Counseling Certificate and visa from the USE.

NOTE: The CFO Guidance and Counseling Seminar is not stated as a requirement within the Packet 4 instructions. However, after the visa is approved, instructions on attending the CFO Guidance and Counseling seminar are included in the visa and Port of Entry (POE) package received by the beneficiary. If the beneficiary takes the seminar before receiving the visa, then the beneficiary will have to return to the CFO in order to receive the CFO sticker anytime after the visa is received. Travel abroad is prohibited without the CFO sticker within the beneficiary's passport (the visa is within the passport). Please check out this instructional information on the PRISM Guidance and Counceling Seminar experience [CLICK HERE] (Thx Sillygirl).

(8). The I-94 Arrival / Departure Record form is within my signature. Foreigners (beneficiaries) complete the I-94 and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer stamps the applicant's visa as well as the arrival / departure portions of the I-94 at the Port of Entry (POE) when entering the United States. The CBP Officer will keep the arrival portion and staple the departure portion of the I-94 to your visa where they stamped the beneficiaries arrival date. You will need this for the Adjustment of Status process. NOTE: Even though it's simple, I have supplied this so you will know what it looks like and what is required to be filled out. Have a great flight!

FINAL NOTES: Please let me know if there are any suggestions/errors/updates. I have correlated the numbers above to my signature below.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

p.s. - Please review the signature and story tab of my wife's VJ profile [Deputy Uling] for information on the Adjustment of Status (AOS) stage that occurs after the beneficiary arrives in the United States.

[Birdysboy 5]

Congrats to you all that have gotten your visa after us. April and May.

To give you all further hope, it seems like our adjustment for status is proceeding well ahead of my expectations, so maybe you all can expect better times than what we got used to previously.

[Pinay Wife 47]

Updating list to congratulate Docmay for getting out of AR. It will be randynrose's turn to get out of AR soon!

Thanks for the add'l info Chad (my youngest brother is also called Chad, I was the one who gave him his name ).

Good luck Gracy!

Legend:

OK - Visa approved

AR - Admin Review/Add'l Docs Required

ME - Military Expedite

AO - Age-Out (Derivative approaching age 21)

Name..................NOA2....MNL REC'D..PACKET...INTERVIEW..MNL CASE#..STATUS..DELIVERED/#OF DAYS/PLACE DLVRD

K1 LIST

01..Wes.............11-02-06..11-17-06..12-29-06..03-20-07..2006-818xxx..OK..May 01/42 days/Dumaguete

02..DeaniWait.......11-28-06..12-19-06..02-27-07..04-04-07..2006-842xxx..OK..Apr 11/07 days/Picked up

03..wthornton.......11-28-06..12-19-06..02-26-07..04-04-07..2006-842xxx..OK..Apr 14/10 days/

04..DocMay..........11-15-06..12-12-06..02-26-07..04-10-07..2006-845xxx..OK..May 11/31 days/Manila

05..George&Jenny....11-27-06..12-12-06..xx-xx-xx..04-10-07..2006-845xxx..OK..Apr 13/03 days/Cagayan de Oro

06..genlramos.......11-17-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..04-11-07..2006-845xxx..OK..Apr 17/06 days/Pasay City

07..DaveandFleur....10-17-06..12-19-06..02-28-07..04-11-07..2006-845xxx..OK

08..PatientlyWait...12-04-06..12-27-06..02-26-07..04-13-07..2006-852xxx..OK..Apr 26/13 days/Las Pinas

09..Kayz............12-14-06..12-27-06..02-26-07..04-16-07..2006-854xxx..OK..Apr 24/08 days/Manila

10..sanfrancisco....xx-xx-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-17-07..2006-8xxxxx..OK..Apr 26/09 days/??

11..supra...........12-07-06..01-08-07..03-03-07..04-18-07..2006-860xxx..OK..Apr 23/05 days/Cebu

12..elmasguapo......12-15-06..01-08-07..xx-xx-xx..04-24-07..2006-xxxxxx......Interview postponed

13..Dean/Gra........12-26-06..01-04-07..02-27-06..04-23-07..2007-503xxx..OK..May 04/11 days/Pick up

14..Mike Marivic....01-04-07..01-20-07..02-26-07..04-24-07..2007-508xxx..OK..May 01/07 days/Ermita

15..CocoPuff........12-29-06..01-16.07..03-03-07..04-25-07..2007-5xxxxx..OK..May 04/09 days/Bacolod

16..MarieandBryan...01-10-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-27-07..2007-52xxxx..OK..May 04/07 days/Cebu

17..Skeeter211......01-17-07..02-27-07..04-02-07..05-03-07..2007-52xxxx..OK..May 11/08 days/Davao

18..chadandlira.....01-25-07..xx-xx-xx..04-02-07..05-09-07..2007-536xxx..OK..May 16/07 days/Gen. Santos

19..Honeysweet......02-01-07..02-20-07..xx-xx-xx..05-10-07..2007-540xxx..OK..

20..chadmides.......02-12-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..05-17-07..2007-547xxx..Waiting to hear from you

21..gracy_byron.....02-08-07..02-28-07..xx-xx-xx..05-18-07..2007-xxxxxx

22..joemaria........02-12-07..02-28-07..xx-xx-xx..05-22-07..2007-55xxx

23..Jeng............02-13-07..02-28-07..03-31-07..05-22-07..2007-554xxx

24..imaskin.........02-21-07..xx-xx-xx..03-30-07..05-24-07..2007-xxxxxx

25..orion44.........02-22-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..06-05-07..2007-xxxxxx

26..David-MaeForev..02-27-07..03-14-07..xx-xx-xx..06-07-07..2007-564xxx

27..JeffK...........03-08-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..06-18-07..2007-573xxx

28..CountryBoy......03-29-07..04-23-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-608xxx

29..trakon2002......04-05-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

30..happyinlove.....04-14-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

31..rea.............05-01-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

K3 LIST

01..AnneiyandJacky..11-28-06..xx-xx-xx..02-27-07..04-17-07..2006-685xxx..AR..Co-sponsor

02..dj2004..........11-16-06..12-12-06..02-27-07..04-03-07..2006-839xxx..OK

03..luvbugs4ever....12-14-06..12-21-06..03-02-07..04-16-07..2006-8xxxxx..Interview postponed

04..M&M.............11-20-06..xx-xx-xx..03-02-07..04-16-07..2007-503xxx..CR visa approved.

05..Jeff&Boo........12-26-06..01-12-07..02-26-07..04-23-07..2007-5xxxxx..Apr 25/02 days/??

07..CherylandMike...02-05-07..02-26-07..xx-xx-xx..05-16-07..2007-546xxx..Waiting to hear from you

08..Robor007........02-06-07..02-26-07..03-30-07..05-16-07..2007-546xxx..OK

IR-1/CR-1

Name.................NOA2.....CASE CMPLT..PACKET..INTERVIEW...MNL CASE#..STATUS

01..dims1...........09-20-06..12-01-06..02-06-07..03-19-07..2006-775xxx..OK..May 14/8 weeks/Cebu

02..vsmtqhdy........09-25-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-20-07..2006-xxxxxx..OK..Apr 27/07 days/Laguna

03..randynrose......09-29-06..02-06-07..03-06-07..04-20-07..2006-xxxxxx..AR

05..Gobruins........12-20-06..04-03-07..xx-xx-xx..05-23-07..2007-50xxxx

06..StarProg........12-28-06..05-10-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-508xxx

[lethimrace 5]

I'm done with my 1st day medical exam today and they hand me out my receipt and i will have to come back tomorrow for the releasing and vaccination. Does that mean i am okay with my medical exam?

Which BPI accepts $100? Because i wanted to pay in dollar.

[CherylandMike 0]

07..CherylandMike...02-05-07..02-26-07..xx-xx-xx..05-16-07..2007-546xxx..Waiting to hear from you

PW,

The interview was ok. From the CO, we got was the "everything looks fine" line. There have been so many AR's ... I'll believe it's approved when they release it. BTW, Cheryl received packet 4 on May 3. I suspect they sent (another) one when she requested to pick it up at SLEC.

Mike

[DA*CHAD+MIDES* 0]

chadmides interview approved.