Manila Embassy Interview

[kar3n 0]

Hey guys, just a quick question here, is there a number at the US Embassy here in Manila that you can call to check the status of your visa after you have been interviewed? I am kinda wondering if there is such a number aside from the call center number that they have. Any information you guys can provide will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[dims1 0]

Question for the Manila Listers...is anyone other than me having constant problems with the Cebu Pacfic and Philippine Air online reservation website? Over the past 2 weeks I cannot get the transaction to complete no matter what I do. I've tried different cards, tried different days and times and also calling the agents (Cebu Pacific, who tell me to try online again, which doesn't work) and I've made certain that the Mastercard Secure Code and Verified by Visa registration is correct, to absolutely no avail. I've called my credit card issuers and all is okay. As a last resort my wife last week had to send someone direct to the airport across Leyte to book the trip for her medical. This is absurd. I've tried contacting a travel agent in Manila, but they want funds deposited in a bank account before they will issue the e-ticket. My wife and her wise traveling companion didn't trust that setup. Looks like I may need to have her ramble across the island again. Thanks for any suggestions.

Mike

Hi again Mike,

I just went to CebuPacific website and bought the ticket for Lorna's interview.

Again I used my check cashing/debit/atm card which says Visa but its not an actual visa credit card.

This time I turned windowsxp pop-up stopper OFF before going there and this time I got all the way through the transaction and even printed a copy of the online transaction receipt.

Weird for some reason I haven't received the email from them with the transaction receipt lke I did last time. Good thing I printed out the online one,hehehe!

Anyway, its worked twice for me now. Good luck!

Mike

[jazzy 0]

Hi,

That is NOT correct. You DO NOT need the cfo seminar to get an amendment to your passport for married name. I do know that the DFA in manila sometimes comes up wih weird things like this, The Cebu office is easy to deal with. The CFO seminar is only required to leave the country on the visa. Also you can take the seminar at any time and go back for your stamp in passport after the visa is delivered...you dont have to wait 6 months.

Jazzy

hi gary, what DFA told ur wife in regards to CFO is correct. my wife had to attend cfo before she could change her passport. My wife said that it will be listed on the back of the passport app what the requirements are to get a new passport due to name change. of course thats not to say that other people won't have different experiences with this procedure depending on who they talk to, but my wife specifically attended cfo to get the new passport and she remembers it being listed on the back of the app. take care, it gets easier as you get more along in the process and before you know it Fely will have her interview date! good luck!

Thanks soul. We're going ahead with Fely attending the CFO, but not until our 6-month anniversary which was also what they "suggested." Meanwhile Fely has been told by a friend whose daughter came to the US on a K-1 visa last December, that the cost of the CFO is 9000 PhP. I have no idea where she got this number from, as I know it's only 400 PhP. But I'm having trouble convincing Fely of the real cost. Does anyone reading this have any idea where the 9000 P amount came from? That's about $180, which is the fee for the original petition.

You are correct.

Who ever suggested that is wrong, and here is the link with the cost listed at the top right side of the web site.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

best wishes, and hope this helps relieve her fears.

R&R

[rebelheart 0]

Just came through the Honolulu POE today and Hawaii does require the X-ray. Not many questions and if you are traveling with your finacee, they will process both of you together. If your x-ray is in the check luggage like ours, they will go to the baggage claim with you and get it.

As far as Visa delivery, interview was on 15 Feb and received Visa on 22 Feb, 7 days total or 4 working days. Delbros text me on the 21st and the Visa was delivered on the 22nd. Ken & Maria

someone posted in another thread to hand carry the X Ray coz they asked for it at the at their POE in Hawaii. everything I've read or heard is you don't need to hand carry the X ray. I told Yazi to put it her in checked in. I just want to check to be sure, do you need to hand carry the X-ray?

Welcome to US Maria! , hope you will adjust smoothly on your new environment. Regards to your new found family.

As for POE scanning requirement, it does vary from state to state. As for now Hawaii is the only one recorded does required to show the Xray film to the POE Officer.

It's better to handcarry the Xray film/vaccine record just to make sure. I did hand carry mine and even offer it to Atlanta Airport POE Officer, and he said he doesn't need it because the Xray result letter and copy of vaccine record are inside too in the packet they opened for evaluation. And then they will inform you have 90 days to get married, and you need to update your vaccines for Adjustment of Status after marriage.

Goodluck to everyone still on process and interview, Congrats who got approved & Welcome to US who are on their flight or POE now. God bless!

-rebelheart-

[jazzy 0]

Hi,

Here is the "additonal requirements" from the PI gov site for passport amendments. As you can see the only requirement is the NSO marraige certificate. Jasmin walked in with the old passport and NSO marraige contract and was even able to get a brand new passport, not just an amendment...no cfo required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

A. For married women who chose to adopt surname of husband

Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or CTC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.

Jazzy

[Jim♥Michelle 0]

I don't think I belong here.. all of you,.. either K1 or K3 Visa Petition..

Im married to LPR and still waiting for NOA2.. I hope some Filipino out there has the same case like me so we can easily relate or tackle our case.. and help each other

GOOD LUCK GUYS!..

[tet 0]

Windchaser, thanks for starting the list again. I hope all is not lost. I'm busy preparing for my medical exam which is scheduled tomorrow, Monday. Iwill not be able to get hold of a computer til Tuesday.

Friends, just list down all of your info ~ NOA2, Embassy receipt date, packet receipt date, interview date, Manila case number, your home state, fiance's hometown. I'll try to get the list back up again on Tuesday.

KTMguy, the proof of payment will be recorded on the DS 156 or DS 157 form (I'm not sure now which form). When your fiancee is ready to make the payment, make sure she brings the two forms to the bank with her.

[/quote

hi im tet and im a new member here!! im so thankful i find this site,its so interesting!! and i have some questions here and hope guys to here answers from you..it would help me alot! i just want to ask on how many days does the medical exam takes? and in presenting the proof our relationship,is it ok to bring a hard disk for our chats?

[Alanlvsjudy 0]

hi im tet and im a new member here!! im so thankful i find this site,its so interesting!! and i have some questions here and hope guys to here answers from you..it would help me alot! i just want to ask on how many days does the medical exam takes? and in presenting the proof our relationship,is it ok to bring a hard disk for our chats?

The medical typically takes two days.

I cannot say with absolute certainty, but I am reasonably satisfied the consul will not look at a disk, it would be too risky to introduce malicious software to their computer system.

Good Luck

[Glenn & Rosemarie 0]

Hello Everyone, I find myself here with nobody to talk to about this and hope that some of you possibly will be able to shed some insight into this serious issue for me. My wife has been here now in the USA for 18 days. I have tried to be the best husband that I can possibly be. I take her places, out to dinner and even cook gourmet dinners for us. I am an indepenent broker and my office is in my home. My day's are somewhat busy and sometimes hectic from 8:00am to about 7:00pm Monday through Friday. Since my wife arrived here, I have made a point to take a few hours away from my work. My wife seemed to be sad and unhappy over the last few days. She is not the type of person to say what is bothering her or complain. I finally got her to tell me what is bothering her. It seems that she is feeking lonely and scared. She has made numerous comments that our neighborhood is very quiet and she rarely sees anyone outside. She relys on me for transportation, as she has not taken her driving exam yet. I live in a community next to the ocean, so its about a two or 3 mile drive for shopping, dining, etc. The biggest problem she describes to me is she is scared here. She isn't sleeping at night. She says it is because she is scared, as she hears noises above the master bedroom of which is upstairs. She thinks it is a spirit or a ghost walking around up there! I am serious, she thinks this. I hear things also and I have explained to her that it is the rustling of the very tall Palm trees outside our house. It is always windy or breezy here, as our house is a stones throw from the Atlantic Ocean. My wife is a smart person and well educated, so that isn't an issue. I respect her culture and beliefs and know that this fear is real to her.

This is serious and to the point that she wants to return to the Philippines. She is lonely and scared and I just don't know what to do. All of you have become like an internet family to me, so I am hoping that possibly some of you can share experiences or shed some insight into this issue for me. I am very frustrated, as I don't know what else to say or do. You can send me a private message if you prefer. Thanks, Glenn

[Ken_Maria 0]

Tet, after just going through the interview on 15 Feb, I suggest you just print the archive logs and not the individual text logs. We did this by opening the yahoo chat archives while chatting; typically an entire month at a time; then do a screen capture of the archive and the open chat window plus open cam and copied it to a Word document. I printed all of these off as proof of relationship. We presented so much "proof of relationship" it would not fit under the window of the prescreener nor the CO. Neither really looked at it, kind of just fanned through it. In my opinion, things like hotel receipts, atm withdrawals, boarding passes and pictures were mor important to prove you have been together in the Philippines.

Since you are required to turn in all electronic items at the front gate (cell phones, cameras...etc) I do not suggest bringing a disc into the interview.

Ken and Maria

hi im tet and im a new member here!! im so thankful i find this site,its so interesting!! and i have some questions here and hope guys to here answers from you..it would help me alot! i just want to ask on how many days does the medical exam takes? and in presenting the proof our relationship,is it ok to bring a hard disk for our chats?

[felnfrank 1]

Hey guys, just a quick question here, is there a number at the US Embassy here in Manila that you can call to check the status of your visa after you have been interviewed? I am kinda wondering if there is such a number aside from the call center number that they have. Any information you guys can provide will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

hello karen,remember me?i remember u well

the embassy will not entertain questions unless u have a written inquery,that's what is said on their site. Frank sent a letter (fax) asking for early release of our visa and it was released on feb 20,after my interview last feb 16. delbros delivered it on feb 23 and i flew to US. I couldnt believe im here now with my honey here's the contact numbers.hope this helps u:

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhnv10.html

i wish u luck for ur journey!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Hello Everyone, I find myself here with nobody to talk to about this and hope that some of you possibly will be able to shed some insight into this serious issue for me. My wife has been here now in the USA for 18 days. I have tried to be the best husband that I can possibly be. I take her places, out to dinner and even cook gourmet dinners for us. I am an indepenent broker and my office is in my home. My day's are somewhat busy and sometimes hectic from 8:00am to about 7:00pm Monday through Friday. Since my wife arrived here, I have made a point to take a few hours away from my work. My wife seemed to be sad and unhappy over the last few days. She is not the type of person to say what is bothering her or complain. I finally got her to tell me what is bothering her. It seems that she is feeking lonely and scared. She has made numerous comments that our neighborhood is very quiet and she rarely sees anyone outside. She relys on me for transportation, as she has not taken her driving exam yet. I live in a community next to the ocean, so its about a two or 3 mile drive for shopping, dining, etc. The biggest problem she describes to me is she is scared here. She isn't sleeping at night. She says it is because she is scared, as she hears noises above the master bedroom of which is upstairs. She thinks it is a spirit or a ghost walking around up there! I am serious, she thinks this. I hear things also and I have explained to her that it is the rustling of the very tall Palm trees outside our house. It is always windy or breezy here, as our house is a stones throw from the Atlantic Ocean. My wife is a smart person and well educated, so that isn't an issue. I respect her culture and beliefs and know that this fear is real to her.

This is serious and to the point that she wants to return to the Philippines. She is lonely and scared and I just don't know what to do. All of you have become like an internet family to me, so I am hoping that possibly some of you can share experiences or shed some insight into this issue for me. I am very frustrated, as I don't know what else to say or do. You can send me a private message if you prefer. Thanks, Glenn

Hi Glenn,

I think that it happens to everyone to more or less a degree. Did you both talk about how your daily lives would be together? During the period apart, how much time did you spend on the phone or chatting online? My fiancee will be here this coming Friday and I'm currently waiting tables at night (3 days a week) in addition to my full time job - so I'm concerned about how the transition will be for her, but we talk about it all the time. Keep in mind, she's left EVERYTHING behind her, she's not only in a strange neighborhood but a strange country as well. If she can't drive right away, show her the public transportation system so that she has a way to get out of that house that will quickly feel like a prison to her if it doesn't already.

Expectations are so important. I would sit down and have a heart to heart talk. Make some immediate goals that will help her to feel comfortable (introducing her to some of the neighbors, introduce her to your friends, get involved with your church, find a network of Filipino Americans nearby that she can communicate with). Then I'd talk about long term goals (getting her driver's license, signing up for classes at a local college, etc.). Whatever the main plan was that you both had imagined, in terms of your lives together - that has to be ironed out where both of you have a good idea of what to expect.

Just try to put yourself in her place and imagine what you would need to do to keep your sanity. Going back home is NOT the solution and both of you need to believe that. The transition is going to be painful and there's no way to get around it, but tell yourselves that it is temporary. Eventually you will both form a life together that feels comfortable.

Don't despair. Best wishes!

[soulm8z0928 0]

Hi,

That is NOT correct. You DO NOT need the cfo seminar to get an amendment to your passport for married name. I do know that the DFA in manila sometimes comes up wih weird things like this, The Cebu office is easy to deal with. The CFO seminar is only required to leave the country on the visa. Also you can take the seminar at any time and go back for your stamp in passport after the visa is delivered...you dont have to wait 6 months.

Jazzy

also from the dfa website pertainint to applying for a passport:

http://www.dfa.gov.ph/consular/faq.htm

3. For fiancees of foreign nationals and spouses of foreign nationals who were married at least six months prior to their application for a passport:

a.) Original and photocopy of the Guidance and counseling Certificate from the Commission on

Filipinos Overseas

from dfa website news release:

Under the DFA Department Orders No. 28-94 and 11-97, Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals are required to attend guidance and counseling program as a pre-requisite of issuance of passports. The objective is to help the said clientele make informed decisions and prepare them for the realities of cross-cultural marriages.

After the receipt of the passport and visa, the Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals will have to register with CFO prior to their departure. An emigrant registration sticker is affixed to the emigrant’s passport as proof of registration.

http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2005/mar/pr146.htm

the registration part is separate from the counseling part. my wife had to attend the counseling, after she gets her visa she will need to go to cfo again and register.

now true the dfa website has it listed under 1st time passport apps, but that is not the intent they had and philippine govt will follow intent much more readily than the us govt will. the quote you have from dfa sight is in reference to woman that married another filipino. the dfa wouldn't assume that just because a women had a passport prior to marrying a foreign national she meets the objective of the cfo guidance and counseling. if you already have a passport and will be using that passport to leave the philippines then np, just attend cfo before you leave. but if you don't have a passport yet you will be told to attend cfo 1st. if you do have a passport but want to change it to your married name then most likely you will be told to attend cfo 1st depending on how familiar the clerk is with these regs, how many cups of coffee they had already, how close it is to lunch time, etc etc. but the bottom line is that their intent is that if you are getting a passport in your married name and your spouse is a foreign national then, odds are, you will be told to attend cfo 1st because that was their intent.

easiest thing to do, attend cfo 1st so you'll be prepared either way

[felnfrank 1]

ooopppss wanna share this:

sis mari,ate ana and other VJ girls,here's my update.

i got aprovd last feb 16,got my visa yesterday,feb 23 then flew to usa last nyt at 10pm.i arived n l.a. airport at 6:30,feb 23.boy,4 hrs earlier wen i left manila hhehe m so hapy now wd my honey.we spent almost 2hrs driving bak to bakersfield.b4 going home drectly,frank gave me a tour around d place n even shopped 4 thngs.i was surprised of his valentine gifts.wen i enterd our room,there r big heart balons n bears wd hearts,choclates n cards.oh its so nice to be wd ouR love..

about xray,a lot handcarried it but wasnt asked.the airport ncharge n manila told me to handcary but stil wasnt used upon entry to usa.maybe it dpends to some ports.

goodluk to everyone!

fel

big thanks to my VJ family!

[Glenn & Rosemarie 0]

Hello Everyone, I find myself here with nobody to talk to about this and hope that some of you possibly will be able to shed some insight into this serious issue for me. My wife has been here now in the USA for 18 days. I have tried to be the best husband that I can possibly be. I take her places, out to dinner and even cook gourmet dinners for us. I am an indepenent broker and my office is in my home. My day's are somewhat busy and sometimes hectic from 8:00am to about 7:00pm Monday through Friday. Since my wife arrived here, I have made a point to take a few hours away from my work. My wife seemed to be sad and unhappy over the last few days. She is not the type of person to say what is bothering her or complain. I finally got her to tell me what is bothering her. It seems that she is feeking lonely and scared. She has made numerous comments that our neighborhood is very quiet and she rarely sees anyone outside. She relys on me for transportation, as she has not taken her driving exam yet. I live in a community next to the ocean, so its about a two or 3 mile drive for shopping, dining, etc. The biggest problem she describes to me is she is scared here. She isn't sleeping at night. She says it is because she is scared, as she hears noises above the master bedroom of which is upstairs. She thinks it is a spirit or a ghost walking around up there! I am serious, she thinks this. I hear things also and I have explained to her that it is the rustling of the very tall Palm trees outside our house. It is always windy or breezy here, as our house is a stones throw from the Atlantic Ocean. My wife is a smart person and well educated, so that isn't an issue. I respect her culture and beliefs and know that this fear is real to her.

This is serious and to the point that she wants to return to the Philippines. She is lonely and scared and I just don't know what to do. All of you have become like an internet family to me, so I am hoping that possibly some of you can share experiences or shed some insight into this issue for me. I am very frustrated, as I don't know what else to say or do. You can send me a private message if you prefer. Thanks, Glenn

Hi Glenn,

I think that it happens to everyone to more or less a degree. Did you both talk about how your daily lives would be together? During the period apart, how much time did you spend on the phone or chatting online? My fiancee will be here this coming Friday and I'm currently waiting tables at night (3 days a week) in addition to my full time job - so I'm concerned about how the transition will be for her, but we talk about it all the time. Keep in mind, she's left EVERYTHING behind her, she's not only in a strange neighborhood but a strange country as well. If she can't drive right away, show her the public transportation system so that she has a way to get out of that house that will quickly feel like a prison to her if it doesn't already.

Expectations are so important. I would sit down and have a heart to heart talk. Make some immediate goals that will help her to feel comfortable (introducing her to some of the neighbors, introduce her to your friends, get involved with your church, find a network of Filipino Americans nearby that she can communicate with). Then I'd talk about long term goals (getting her driver's license, signing up for classes at a local college, etc.). Whatever the main plan was that you both had imagined, in terms of your lives together - that has to be ironed out where both of you have a good idea of what to expect.

Just try to put yourself in her place and imagine what you would need to do to keep your sanity. Going back home is NOT the solution and both of you need to believe that. The transition is going to be painful and there's no way to get around it, but tell yourselves that it is temporary. Eventually you will both form a life together that feels comfortable.

Don't despair. Best wishes!

We have been married since December 2005. I visited her twice for 6 weeks prior to our marriage and I met her in Manila 3 times for 2 to 4 weeks during 2006. We chatted or talked on the phone everyday since the first time we met. I let her know before we married that my business life was not only a busy one, but very hectic most of the time. I think she is somewhat surprised at the way I do business, as there is a lot of emotion at times. But, that is just the nature of my business.

I wish desperatley that I knew Filipinos here. I know there are many here, but haven't a clue on how she can meet them? I appreciate your concern and feedback.