Manila Embassy Interview

[Dean/Gra 0]

Our 6 weeks of hell are over! APPOVED, APPOVED, APPOVED!!! Much plans to do now guys and gals!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[Dean/Gra 0]

The NVC issued us a MNL number and has forwarded our petition to the US Embassy in Manila on March 7^th.

My question is how can I track our petition's process?

What are anyone's thoughts on our projected timeline?

Also, if I wish to be there for the interview and our flight back to US, how many days should I plan on being in the Philippines?

Finally, what would be the best way to purchase her flight back to US?

I do not mean to be presumptuous of our approval; I am only looking forward and thinking of our options.

Thanks in advance for you thoughts.

Respectfully,

Robert

I agree with what Deaniwait said about getting the ticket, I have already purchased our tickets back to the states as I also plan to be there for the interview.

As far as the ride back, it really depends on what your final destination is. I see you are Nebraska USCIS office which means nothing actually. I purchased our tickets on Northwest Airlines. Her ticket, one way from Manila to Oklahoma city was $900. I purchased mine thru a consolidator for $975 round trip. I had to buy her ticket directly from Northwest Airlines as no one else would sell a one way on that flight.

As for how many days, that is really up to you, as Dean said it could take up to 10 days or possibly a wee bit more just to get the visa, depends where the visa will be sent to. We are going to ask for an Embassy pickup and show them the ticket, so hopefully we can get it in 2 days. If not we will have it delivered either to the hotel where we are or to an address in Cavite which is near Manila and it should not take more than 3 days to get there. I arrive on Apr 21, the interview is Apr 23, and we come back to the states on May 3. God willing.

As for tracking your file, you probably wont find out anything until they have given you an interview date. There is a phone number in Sheriff Uling's signature to the State Dept. It is area code 202 xxx xxxx. The call will be to Washington DC. They will have the info on or shortly after the 15th of the month. Which month is anyone's guess. From the NOA2 to interview for us is almost exactly 4 months. However it seems they are moving the interviews a little faster now. Your fiancee will receive a "pre interview letter". Some call this a packet 3, but it is only a letter stating they have received the file and they will soon be sending a packet 4 to her. It took a little over a month for us to get the packet 4 after receipt of the letter.

After you get the interview date she can take the physical at any time. We are taking ours a month early because my sweetie had some medical problems and if there was a problem at the Physical we wanted to have time to do any other tests they might want to do prior to the interview, othewise they would reschedule the interview for one or two months later.

Try to be Patient, unlike myself. haha

Best of luck to you and your fiancee, Dean

[Dean/Gra 0]

Congradulations and best wishes to you vic&el4ever!!!!

I have a question about POE....

Can you chose your POE or is it done by the Embassy?

My finace put his POE as Chicago, will this be a problem?

if you can,

Thanks!!!!

Where ever your plane touches down on US territory is the POE. If that is Chicago, then that is your POE. You are almost there buddy, hang in there and good luck.

Dean

[Ken_Maria 0]

Robert, If you do a search within this thread, you will find several links to online booking agencies and travel agents in the Philippines. PAL has the direct flights and ask for the "first time immigrant" discount. If you buy your fiancee's ticket online or here in the U.S. you will have to pay the 1620 peso travel tax when departing. There are the numbers to the Embassy to call for trackign your case and DHL for tracking it between the NVC and Manila... neither are really worth the time. Check Interview Dates with your assigned case number, just remember it has been taking up to 120 days after Manila receives the package form NVC for appointments.

Delbros delivers the Visa and the timelines have differed from 2-10 days depending on location for delivery and if no AR. I planned our flight 9 days after the interview and we received the Visa 7 days after the interview in Pampanga province.

I used PAL, kayak.com and best travel store when looking for our flights. good luck, ken

The NVC issued us a MNL number and has forwarded our petition to the US Embassy in Manila on March 7^th.

My question is how can I track our petition's process?

What are anyone's thoughts on our projected timeline?

Also, if I wish to be there for the interview and our flight back to US, how many days should I plan on being in the Philippines?

Finally, what would be the best way to purchase her flight back to US?

I do not mean to be presumptuous of our approval; I am only looking forward and thinking of our options.

Thanks in advance for you thoughts.

Respectfully,

Robert

[vic&el4ever 0]

Congradulations and best wishes to you vic&el4ever!!!!

I have a question about POE....

Can you chose your POE or is it done by the Embassy?

My finace put his POE as Chicago, will this be a problem?

if you can,

Thanks!!!!

Our POE is LAX and that is what we put. POE can be changed by you with no issues.

[vic&el4ever 0]

SHIPMENT TRACKING SYSTEM

Query Results...

MNL200676824701

INFO DATE INFO DESCRIPTION

3/14/2007 5:44:20 PM SHIPMENT RECEIVED AT DISTRIBUTION CENTER

3/14/2007 2:30:02 PM SHIPMENT IN PROCESS

3/14/2007 9:51:35 AM SHIPMENT RELEASED BY THE EMBASSY

2/1/2007 3:48:11 PM SHIPMENT PROCESS IN THE EMBASSY

Track more...

AT LAST!!!!!! Congratulations to you both we are very happy for you.

We are still in shock, but making plans now for her trip here.

[luv2uallday 1]

The NVC issued us a MNL number and has forwarded our petition to the US Embassy in Manila on March 7^th.

My question is how can I track our petition's process?

What are anyone's thoughts on our projected timeline?

Also, if I wish to be there for the interview and our flight back to US, how many days should I plan on being in the Philippines?

Finally, what would be the best way to purchase her flight back to US?

I do not mean to be presumptuous of our approval; I am only looking forward and thinking of our options.

Thanks in advance for you thoughts.

Respectfully,

Robert

I agree with what Deaniwait said about getting the ticket, I have already purchased our tickets back to the states as I also plan to be there for the interview.

As far as the ride back, it really depends on what your final destination is. I see you are Nebraska USCIS office which means nothing actually. I purchased our tickets on Northwest Airlines. Her ticket, one way from Manila to Oklahoma city was $900. I purchased mine thru a consolidator for $975 round trip. I had to buy her ticket directly from Northwest Airlines as no one else would sell a one way on that flight.

As for how many days, that is really up to you, as Dean said it could take up to 10 days or possibly a wee bit more just to get the visa, depends where the visa will be sent to. We are going to ask for an Embassy pickup and show them the ticket, so hopefully we can get it in 2 days. If not we will have it delivered either to the hotel where we are or to an address in Cavite which is near Manila and it should not take more than 3 days to get there. I arrive on Apr 21, the interview is Apr 23, and we come back to the states on May 3. God willing.

As for tracking your file, you probably wont find out anything until they have given you an interview date. There is a phone number in Sheriff Uling's signature to the State Dept. It is area code 202 xxx xxxx. The call will be to Washington DC. They will have the info on or shortly after the 15th of the month. Which month is anyone's guess. From the NOA2 to interview for us is almost exactly 4 months. However it seems they are moving the interviews a little faster now. Your fiancee will receive a "pre interview letter". Some call this a packet 3, but it is only a letter stating they have received the file and they will soon be sending a packet 4 to her. It took a little over a month for us to get the packet 4 after receipt of the letter.

After you get the interview date she can take the physical at any time. We are taking ours a month early because my sweetie had some medical problems and if there was a problem at the Physical we wanted to have time to do any other tests they might want to do prior to the interview, othewise they would reschedule the interview for one or two months later.

Try to be Patient, unlike myself. haha

Best of luck to you and your fiancee, Dean

I will give you a counter opinion..... as I have first hand experience in this matter lol

ok as to buying tickets

as to buying tickets before you know if your honey is approved... DO NOT purchase tickets before she has the visa in hand.... that is a gamble that can cost you.. (at least 75$ or way more) it is never a wise thing to do to read consulate minds you will usually fail in your attempt.....

and as to buying airline tickets on roxas blvd there are 2 million travel agencies where you can purchase your tickets... if your girl is coming on a k1 visa she can get a first time immigrant discount which is 100 dollars off the price..... so going directly to the airline to get your ticket is usually not a wise idea only a last resort idea... I used manila international travel near the embassy to purchase my wife's one way ticket....

and if you wish to get your visa less than a week there are a million motels hotels 2 seconds away from the embassy have her and you stay there you will recieve your visa which 3 days if you r not in AR...... try jasmin's pension house bayview. duck inn.... or swagman's

and to tracking your visa status... instead of calling a phone number you can go to the embassy's website and put int your case number and get your interview date on the status link...... it is posted after the 15th of every month....... that may be more convienent than calling a DC beaurocrat...

also... to make sure everything go smooth make sure all your documents (NBI, BIRTH CERTIFICATE MARRIAGE CONTRACT,, CENOMAR) are less than six months old as to avoid or less a chance u get into AR if the consul wants a doc check......

i just wanted to offer a disenting opinion..... and i'm surprised that you are arriving in phils 2 days before your interview that is tight.. i arrived 4 days before my wife's interview and that was very hard. to prepare.... man I pray you two have no problems with your paperwork cause you have given yourself almost no time to prepare.. Good luck...... if you haven't bought your tickest to go there maybe u should consider giving yourself some moretime to prepare and fix any lacking or error paperworks that could occur...... you know like a buffer like i did.....

i wish you luck on your trip may your girl come back with you and remember ITS BETTER TO BE OVERPREPARED THAN UNDERPREPARED lol hhahahaha

[fleurlovesbear 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.

Hi I'm just new here just want to ask do I still need to have a police clearance... I believe it's only needed if you have been outside the country right...

Our 6 weeks of hell are over! APPOVED, APPOVED, APPOVED!!! Much plans to do now guys and gals!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

[lirachadsbaby 0]

Hi! guys, I just checked out the embassy's database and just found out our appointment dates.

It's on the 9th of May @ 7:30AM. Hope to know some here who have similar date with mine.

[Alanlvsjudy 0]

Hi I'm just new here just want to ask do I still need to have a police clearance... I believe it's only needed if you have been outside the country right...

If I am not mistaken you will still need an NBI clearance.

[David-and-Mae 15]

Can someone tell me how I go about checking Manila USE database of interviewees? Please???

[honeysweet 1]

i'm so happy i got my appointment dates today. had to call my honey early in the morning to break the news for so much excitement silly girl has a lot of updates to do since appointment dates are already released. here is mine, kindly update us:

ST.LUKE'S - MAY 03,2007 THURSDAY

EMBASSY - MAY 10,2007 THURSDAY @ 7:30 AM

CONGRATULATIONS to all!

ana

[Glenn & Rosemarie 0]

Our 6 weeks of hell are over! APPOVED, APPOVED, APPOVED!!! Much plans to do now guys and gals!

Congratulations to both of you! I am very happy that your waiting is now over.

[Dean/Gra 0]

i'm so happy i got my appointment dates today. had to call my honey early in the morning to break the news for so much excitement silly girl has a lot of updates to do since appointment dates are already released. here is mine, kindly update us:

ST.LUKE'S - MAY 03,2007 THURSDAY

EMBASSY - MAY 10,2007 THURSDAY @ 7:30 AM

CONGRATULATIONS to all!

ana

CONGRATULATIONS! You are almost there.

Hi! guys, I just checked out the embassy's database and just found out our appointment dates.

It's on the 9th of May @ 7:30AM. Hope to know some here who have similar date with mine.

Congratulations!!!

[Ken_Maria 0]

Do a search, The link has been posted several times in the last few days and is in my reply to Robert above. Good luck, Ken & maria

Can someone tell me how I go about checking Manila USE database of interviewees? Please???