Manila Embassy Interview

[garya505 2]

A friendly advice, My tip to pass on: If you have the time and the money, do what we did and have a private medical exam done a few months before the St. Luke's medical exam. That way you are sure and your SO will feel more comfortable and confident.

Hey, I sent my fiancee for a checkup and she went to an OB-GYN! Is this a hint?

Edited December 28, 2006 by garya505

[kar3n 0]

Hey guys, can someone post a sample copy of the DS-156K and DS-157 forms together with the way you guys have filled it out? Just want a couple of references, just to make sure I won't mess up in filling out mine. Any information you guys can share will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance. HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

[panicked 0]

that s a good news rob bout her health...though she will have a new appointment, ull just to wait more and be patient uve been so patient

im looking for hotels now near the embassy, my fiance booked my flights already. he is looking for a place for me too where i could stay near DFA and St. Luke...ill have my passport renewed then medical exam will follow...

Is CFO office just around the area?ill attend the seminar first before the renewal.

any suggestions for places to stay?

thanks

My fiancee's cousin stayed at this place and my fiance will probably stay there for her CFO and medical exam. It is walking distance to St. Luke's.

Cherry Blossoms Hotel

(ATM nearby, Robinson’s Mall nearby)

550 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita, Manila

Tel. (632) 524-7631 or 524-7636

E-mail: blossoms@i-manila.com

Manager: RODNEY C. ROBOSA

Premium: P1250

Superior: P1673

Deluxe: P1855

2 level Suite: P1915

Suite: P3025

Breakfast included

I have compiled a list of hotels in the area if anyone wants to see it.

I have heard good and bad things both. Does anyone here have any personal experience with this hotel? What would you rather give it a or a or would you rather hit yourself in the head before going there again?

Thanks

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Attached is the Manila Embassy Thread Packet 4 modified to correctly state the DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application form is validated by the bank when paying the visa application fee. Please reference page 1 and last sentence in number 1 of packet 4. The Manila Embassy Thread's packet 4 may be reference in my signature #2.

Cheers!!!

Ahmari & Jhen

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Hey, I sent my fiancee for a checkup and she went to an OB-GYN! Is this a hint?

Hmmmm!!!! Maybe... What did she say? LOL!!!

[arch and cel 0]

hi all!!! just arrived from manila and 2 days no sleep lol... but the good news though is that we're approved!!! thank GOD!!! and to all of you guys thank you so much too!!! it's been a great journey i hope for those who'll have the up coming interviews!!! God bless you all!!!

ron/may

congratulations ronway!!!!

[sillygirl 0]

sbqwolf called my attention to my not working links (in my signature). I uploaded the links in a different site so here they are again.

Note for the CFO stamp (if you went to the seminar before your interview):

> photocopy your certificate of attendance. They will ask for a photocopy when you get your stamp. That way, you don't have to go outside to photocopy it and lose your place in line.

> your fiance will not be allowed to go inside the CFO building with you when you go there to get your stamp.

Note for the Interview:

> for the finger scanning, they were calling out the names on the day i had my interview. Others said that their numbers were flashed in the queue boards. So whichever way they do it, bottomline is one has to pay close attention.

CFO seminar

USE layout / interview experience

hope this still helps.

Edited December 28, 2006 by sillygirl

[Kayz 0]

Best birthday gift that I got this year.. I called NVC today and my packet left for Manila on Dec 22nd. Manila Embassy received it on Dec 27!!! Wooohooo!!! Please update my timeline.. Next wait is for the Packet 4 that they'll send to my fiance right? Thanks a lot for all your help.

[felnfrank 1]

here it is PW:

mnl20067921xx

[Sheriff Uling 3]

as of 26 Dec 06

Phil-Am K1 Information…

Pre NOA2

(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)

(Case Status) - Once you have filed your case and received your case number, please register on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website using the Case Status Online Tool to receive emailed updates concerning your case (CLICK HERE). NOTE: If you want emailed updates to multiple addresses then you must create multiple customer portfolio accounts. When your petition is approval (NOA2), this tool is of no further use to you until after the beneficiary arrives in the 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

(1). The National Visa Center (NVC) number is within my signature. NVC assigns your case number once your case is approved (NOA2). They also may perform a preliminary background check from what I’ve read then forwards your package/case to the Manila Embassy. This process usually takes anywhere from 14 – 30 days.

(2). The Manila Embassy (USE) Packet 4, the phone number, a visa interview testimony, along with a sample Appointment Letter are within my signature block. NOTE: Packet 4 can be acquired from the Manila Embassy website which gives directions on what documents are required by the beneficiary for the visa interview. Starting 01 November 2006, ALL nonimmigrant visa applicants must use the online Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) to complete the DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application). To date, only the DS-156 has the barcode (on the first and last page) and is the ONLY form available online at http://evisaforms.state.gov. You may complete the DS-156K (Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa Application) and the DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application) (this is the form the bank validates when you pay the visa application fee) via the computer, type-writer, or handwritten. Hopefully the Manila Embassy will update their packet 4 information to clearly indicate how the forms are to be completed. If you need to call the Manila Embassy, dial 0 for the operator, and ask for the Immigrant Visa Unit. The average interview appointment is assigned approximately 100 – 150 days from the receipt of your package from the NVC. Beneficiaries are now sent a letter of receipt from the USE once their physical files are received. However, this is NOT Packet 3 because the Manila Embassy ONLY issues Packet 4, and the letter of receipt is not always sent to the beneficiaries. Please also check out this instructional visa interview information (CLICK HERE) (Thx Sillygirl)

(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 vaccination. The process takes two days. Day 1 is the medical exam and Day 2 is the vaccination. If the Manila Embassy does not mail the beneficiary the K1 Visa Packet and Appointment Letter, then call SLEC to arrange to pick them up at SLEC. NOTE: 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. The beneficiary may reschedule the appointment with SLEC or walk-in with the appointment letter and/or NOA2 (don't forget to bring the passport and medical exam fee).

(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. 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.

(7). CFO Guidance and Counseling Seminars are held in Manila and Cebu, with the corresponding links within my signature. The beneficiary may attend whichever location is more convenient. "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). NOTE: This requirement is not stated within the K1 packet. However, the beneficiary can NOT travel without receiving the Guidance and Counseling Certificate and subsequent CFO stamp on the visa. Please check out this instructional information on the PRISM Guidance and Counceling Seminar experience (CLICK HERE) (Thx Sillygirl)

(8). The I-94 Arrival / Departure Form is within my signature. Foreigners (beneficiaries) complete the I-94 and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer stamps the applicant’s visa and the arrival and departure portions of the I-94 at the Port of Entry (POE) when entering the 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.

Cheers!!!

Ahmari & Jhen

NOTE: The red text indicates the recent updates/chages. Please let me know if there are any suggestions. I have also correlated the numbers above to my signature below.

[gobdogman 0]

ITS A GIRL!!!!!!!!

Our baby was born today in dumaguete we named her cheyanne ariel she was born between 1am & 2 am phil time.

Only surprise is the Dr. that did the ultra sounds kept saying boy so we bought all boy clothes and i was just about to paint the nursery blue.

I am so happy everything is ok now i can relax a little, i've been so nervous unable to be there during the delivery.

Now just waiting for our interview and bring my girls home.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Gobdogman...

That is so wonderful... Congrats!!! You must be so excited. Very good news!!! Thank you for sharing and Happy New Years to you and yours...

Ahmari & Jhen

[sillygirl 0]

ITS A GIRL!!!!!!!!

Our baby was born today in dumaguete we named her cheyanne ariel she was born between 1am & 2 am phil time.

Only surprise is the Dr. that did the ultra sounds kept saying boy so we bought all boy clothes and i was just about to paint the nursery blue.

I am so happy everything is ok now i can relax a little, i've been so nervous unable to be there during the delivery.

Now just waiting for our interview and bring my girls home.

Congratulations gobdogman! Happy New Year to you and your girls!

[Kayz 0]

ITS A GIRL!!!!!!!!

Our baby was born today in dumaguete we named her cheyanne ariel she was born between 1am & 2 am phil time.

Only surprise is the Dr. that did the ultra sounds kept saying boy so we bought all boy clothes and i was just about to paint the nursery blue.

I am so happy everything is ok now i can relax a little, i've been so nervous unable to be there during the delivery.

Now just waiting for our interview and bring my girls home.

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

[sunandmoon 450]

Hey guys, can someone post a sample copy of the DS-156K and DS-157 forms together with the way you guys have filled it out? Just want a couple of references, just to make sure I won't mess up in filling out mine. Any information you guys can share will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance. HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

there are examples on VJ. perhaps if you posted what you have a question about, someone could give you a suggestion.