Manila Embassy Interview

[john_and_marlene 162]

Oh really!? I'm not ranting but I'm just wondering why they need 100++ days to process the documents since it has been filtered and scrutinized in USCIS and NVC . Don't they trust the work of USCIS and NVC guys . Just thinking out loud.

Anyway, I'm just thankful that it's moving plus it's worth the wait .

They aren't taking all that time to process your papers. But there are several thousand people that need to be interviewed ahead of you. The Consulate conducts interviews for over 6000 people per month in the immigrant visa section. They are conducting interviews as fast as they can with the budget and staffing that they have. The backlog does look like it's getting better now. Last year at this time it was taking 6 months from the time the consulate received your package until the interview--now it's only about 4 months.

Be thankful, they have gotten better this year by a month or two it seems.

Edited June 21, 2006 by john_and_marlene

[sillygirl 0]

they guy i talked to at the embassy said they received my packet on june 14.

thanks for the advice audrey. i'll do that!

When did they receive your application?

Well i guess a lot of us here are on the same boat.

Let's just pray that things will be a lot better and faster.

Thanks PW.

I called the embassy of manila today and they told me that they received the application last june 20 so I still need to wait 120-150 days... Arrrgh...

Can somebody invent timewarp machine... pretty pleaseeeee

hi brittaniquec_Chic.

i'm a newbie here. i also called the embassy just this morning... all i got was the date when they received the packet from NVC. nothing else.

Edited June 21, 2006 by sillygirl

[mychelle 1]

questions on taking an early medical appointment...

-is the Manila Embassy local number + ext. 5184, the number to call to let them know that we're gonna have an early medical and that we'll pick up our packet 4 @ St. Luke's? if so, do we let them know the date? he already booked a flight for July 18-20.

-also, other than passport, ID and visa pictures (2)...what else must my fiance take with him to St. Luke's?

-so, my understanding is...if you take an early medical, you can't schedule the date and time...so all he can do is go to St. Luke really, really early and take a number? how long is the entire medical appointment?

- can he go back early the next day for results and vaccinations? how long does that take? he wants to catch the earliest flight out of Manila, (the airport is not that far from St. Luke's i think.)

-also i'm trying to look for that link re: contents of packet 4...i'll scan through the pages but if you have it on hand please post when you can.

thanks a bunch! this entire forum, especially the Manila Embassy thread is so helpful...in all levels!!!

Edited June 21, 2006 by mychelle

[RandyC 0]

-also i'm trying to look for that link re: contents of packet 4...i'll scan through the pages but if you have it on hand please post when you can.

thanks a bunch! this entire forum, especially the Manila Embassy thread is so helpful...in all levels!!!

This is the link that I had bookmarked for the pakcet 4, I hope it is what you are looking for:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...st=0#entry19310

-also, other than passport, ID and visa pictures (2)...what else must my fiance take with him to St. Luke's?

here is a link to asawa.org that gives a lot of info about what is need at the medical:

http://www.filipinawives.com/asawa/viewtop...&highlight=

[Audrey&Romy 0]

Hello Meychelle,

This is the link I found in this thread regarding the contents of packet 4 (K-packet). It is the first post in this link posted by joytim.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...6&hl=manila

When your fiance goes to the medical he also has to take any medical records not over 6 months old, old vaccination records, the original and photocopy of his approval notice, passport (make sure he photocopies his biographical page because he needs this data when filling out the DS forms later and his passport will be forwarded by St Luke's to the US Embassy after his medical), 3 passport photos, equivalent of USD 95 in pesos, 2 valid ID's, ballpen and glue.

Mychelle, you can call the local US embassy number to inform them you want the packet sent directly to St. Luke's. Then you can call St. Luke's to schedule when you want to pick it up. From what I have read in previous posts, you may opt to take the medical exam earlier than the scheduled date as long as you have your appointment letter. Tell your fiance to go as early as possible as there are a lot of people waiting even before it opens. The medical takes two days unless there is a problem with the tests in which case they will tell you on the second day to come back again.

Hope this helps.

Audrey

[Audrey&Romy 0]

Hello Meychelle,

This is the link I found in this thread regarding the contents of packet 4 (K-packet). It is the first post in this link posted by joytim.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...6&hl=manila

When your fiance goes to the medical he also has to take any medical records not over 6 months old, old vaccination records, the original and photocopy of his approval notice, passport (make sure he photocopies his biographical page because he needs this data when filling out the DS forms later and his passport will be forwarded by St Luke's to the US Embassy after his medical), 3 passport photos, equivalent of USD 95 in pesos, 2 valid ID's, ballpen and glue.

Mychelle, you can call the local US embassy number to inform them you want the packet sent directly to St. Luke's. Then you can call St. Luke's to schedule when you want to pick it up. From what I have read in previous posts, you may opt to take the medical exam earlier than the scheduled date as long as you have your appointment letter. Tell your fiance to go as early as possible as there are a lot of people waiting even before it opens. The medical takes two days unless there is a problem with the tests in which case they will tell you on the second day to come back again.

Hope this helps.

Audrey

I meant he should bring the original and photocopy of his appointment letter to St. Luke's. Don't want to confuse you. Sorry about that.

Audrey

[Pinay Wife 47]

Updating timeline of Windchaser and to add timelines of brittaniquec_Chic and sillygirl. Sillygirl, please provide us with your NOA2 date and Manila case number. Brittanique, we need your NOA2 date please.

Legend:

OK - Visa approved

AR - Admin Review/Add'l Docs Required

ME - Military Expedite

Name-------------NOA2-----MNL REC’D--PACKET--INTERVIEW--MNL CASE#--STATUS

K1 LIST

fianceenw8tng---04-07-04--08-18-04--09-24-04--10-08-04--2004-704xxx--AR

PatientlyWait---07-27-05--08-22-05--01-06-06--02-13-06--2005-723xxx--AR

Windchaser------08-29-05--09-27-05--xx-xx-xx--09-01-06--2005-756xxx--

Malambing-------10-28-05--11-23-05--03-21-06--04-06-06--2005-814xxx--OK

Charsiimogen----11-13-05--xx-xx-xx--03-22-06--04-06-06--2005-814xxx--OK

Caillen---------11-07-05--11-30-05--xx-xx-xx--04-11-06--2005-821xxx--OK

goldwing777-----11-09-05--12-05-05--03-18-06--04-11-06--2005-822xxx--OK

Danoco----------11-18-05--12-08-05--xx-xx-xx--04-18-06--2005-827xxx--OK

wilhulse--------11-09-05--12-13-05--xx-xx-xx--04-19-06--2005-xxxxxx--OK

TomandJackie----11-21-05--12-14-05--03-28-06--04-21-06--2005-835xxx--OK

ryecatcher25----12-16-05--01-11-06--04-03-06--05-16-06--2005-xxxxxx--OK

spunky66--------12-16-05--01-11-06--03-30-06--05-16-06--2005-86xxxx--OK

djcess----------03-10-06--03-24-06--xx-xx-xx--08-09-06--2006-579xxx

Rustyash--------03-07-06--03-29-06--xx-xx-xx--08-09-06--2006-580xxx

davidg----------04-20-06--05-13-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--2006-625xxx

Audrey&Romy-----05-01-06--05-22-06--xx-xx-xx--09-22-06--2006-635xxx

randyandrechie--05-01-06--06-05-06--xx-xx-xx--09-20-06--2006-635xxx

mychelle--------05-03-06--05-31-06--xx-xx-xx--09-14-06--2006-639xxx

sillygirl-------xx-xx-xx--06-14-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-06--2006-xxxxxx

Brittaniquec----xx-xx-xx--06-20-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-06--2006-660xxx

K3 LIST

Nakashima-------11-04-05--11-23-05--03-17-06--04-07-06--2005-818xxx--OK

micheltsmith----11-09-05--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--04-19-06--2005-827xxx--OK

scott300hp------12-10-06--01-15-06--xx-xx-xx--04-27-06--2005-846xxx--OK

Rommelandrea----12-19-05--01-03-06--04-04-06--05-12-06--2005-861xxx--OK

sweety_33-------xx-xx-06--04-25-06--05-25-06--08-24-06--2006-xxxxxx--

IR-1/CR-1

mrs.mnez--------07-14-05--xx-xx-xx--11-19-05--03-27-06--2005-xxxxxx--OK

jpg-------------08-15-05--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--07-17-06--2005-xxxxxx

JoelAndAnalyn---12-29-05--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--2006-510xxx

Shortie81-------02-03-06--05-16-06--05-28-06--06-07-06--2006-544xxx--OK-ME

Biancashey------03-09-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--2006-576xxx

[sillygirl 0]

Updating timeline of Windchaser and to add timelines of brittaniquec_Chic and sillygirl. Sillygirl, please provide us with your NOA2 date and Manila case number. Brittanique, we need your NOA2 date please.

Legend:

OK - Visa approved

AR - Admin Review/Add'l Docs Required

ME - Military Expedite

Name-------------NOA2-----MNL REC’D--PACKET--INTERVIEW--MNL CASE#--STATUS

K1 LIST

fianceenw8tng---04-07-04--08-18-04--09-24-04--10-08-04--2004-704xxx--AR

PatientlyWait---07-27-05--08-22-05--01-06-06--02-13-06--2005-723xxx--AR

Windchaser------08-29-05--09-27-05--xx-xx-xx--09-01-06--2005-756xxx--

Malambing-------10-28-05--11-23-05--03-21-06--04-06-06--2005-814xxx--OK

Charsiimogen----11-13-05--xx-xx-xx--03-22-06--04-06-06--2005-814xxx--OK

Caillen---------11-07-05--11-30-05--xx-xx-xx--04-11-06--2005-821xxx--OK

goldwing777-----11-09-05--12-05-05--03-18-06--04-11-06--2005-822xxx--OK

Danoco----------11-18-05--12-08-05--xx-xx-xx--04-18-06--2005-827xxx--OK

wilhulse--------11-09-05--12-13-05--xx-xx-xx--04-19-06--2005-xxxxxx--OK

TomandJackie----11-21-05--12-14-05--03-28-06--04-21-06--2005-835xxx--OK

ryecatcher25----12-16-05--01-11-06--04-03-06--05-16-06--2005-xxxxxx--OK

spunky66--------12-16-05--01-11-06--03-30-06--05-16-06--2005-86xxxx--OK

djcess----------03-10-06--03-24-06--xx-xx-xx--08-09-06--2006-579xxx

Rustyash--------03-07-06--03-29-06--xx-xx-xx--08-09-06--2006-580xxx

davidg----------04-20-06--05-13-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--2006-625xxx

Audrey&Romy-----05-01-06--05-22-06--xx-xx-xx--09-22-06--2006-635xxx

randyandrechie--05-01-06--06-05-06--xx-xx-xx--09-20-06--2006-635xxx

mychelle--------05-03-06--05-31-06--xx-xx-xx--09-14-06--2006-639xxx

sillygirl-------xx-xx-xx--06-14-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-06--2006-xxxxxx

Brittaniquec----xx-xx-xx--06-20-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-06--2006-660xxx

K3 LIST

Nakashima-------11-04-05--11-23-05--03-17-06--04-07-06--2005-818xxx--OK

micheltsmith----11-09-05--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--04-19-06--2005-827xxx--OK

scott300hp------12-10-06--01-15-06--xx-xx-xx--04-27-06--2005-846xxx--OK

Rommelandrea----12-19-05--01-03-06--04-04-06--05-12-06--2005-861xxx--OK

sweety_33-------xx-xx-06--04-25-06--05-25-06--08-24-06--2006-xxxxxx--

IR-1/CR-1

mrs.mnez--------07-14-05--xx-xx-xx--11-19-05--03-27-06--2005-xxxxxx--OK

jpg-------------08-15-05--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--07-17-06--2005-xxxxxx

JoelAndAnalyn---12-29-05--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--2006-510xxx

Shortie81-------02-03-06--05-16-06--05-28-06--06-07-06--2006-544xxx--OK-ME

Biancashey------03-09-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--2006-576xxx

hi patientlywaiting!

My NOA is May 17, 2006. MNL2006-657xxxx

[brittaniquec_Chic 0]

Updating timeline of Windchaser and to add timelines of brittaniquec_Chic and sillygirl. Sillygirl, please provide us with your NOA2 date and Manila case number. Brittanique, we need your NOA2 date please.

Legend:

OK - Visa approved

AR - Admin Review/Add'l Docs Required

ME - Military Expedite

Name-------------NOA2-----MNL REC’D--PACKET--INTERVIEW--MNL CASE#--STATUS

K1 LIST

fianceenw8tng---04-07-04--08-18-04--09-24-04--10-08-04--2004-704xxx--AR

PatientlyWait---07-27-05--08-22-05--01-06-06--02-13-06--2005-723xxx--AR

Windchaser------08-29-05--09-27-05--xx-xx-xx--09-01-06--2005-756xxx--

Malambing-------10-28-05--11-23-05--03-21-06--04-06-06--2005-814xxx--OK

Charsiimogen----11-13-05--xx-xx-xx--03-22-06--04-06-06--2005-814xxx--OK

Caillen---------11-07-05--11-30-05--xx-xx-xx--04-11-06--2005-821xxx--OK

goldwing777-----11-09-05--12-05-05--03-18-06--04-11-06--2005-822xxx--OK

Danoco----------11-18-05--12-08-05--xx-xx-xx--04-18-06--2005-827xxx--OK

wilhulse--------11-09-05--12-13-05--xx-xx-xx--04-19-06--2005-xxxxxx--OK

TomandJackie----11-21-05--12-14-05--03-28-06--04-21-06--2005-835xxx--OK

ryecatcher25----12-16-05--01-11-06--04-03-06--05-16-06--2005-xxxxxx--OK

spunky66--------12-16-05--01-11-06--03-30-06--05-16-06--2005-86xxxx--OK

djcess----------03-10-06--03-24-06--xx-xx-xx--08-09-06--2006-579xxx

Rustyash--------03-07-06--03-29-06--xx-xx-xx--08-09-06--2006-580xxx

davidg----------04-20-06--05-13-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--2006-625xxx

Audrey&Romy-----05-01-06--05-22-06--xx-xx-xx--09-22-06--2006-635xxx

randyandrechie--05-01-06--06-05-06--xx-xx-xx--09-20-06--2006-635xxx

mychelle--------05-03-06--05-31-06--xx-xx-xx--09-14-06--2006-639xxx

sillygirl-------xx-xx-xx--06-14-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-06--2006-xxxxxx

Brittaniquec----xx-xx-xx--06-20-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-06--2006-660xxx

K3 LIST

Nakashima-------11-04-05--11-23-05--03-17-06--04-07-06--2005-818xxx--OK

micheltsmith----11-09-05--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--04-19-06--2005-827xxx--OK

scott300hp------12-10-06--01-15-06--xx-xx-xx--04-27-06--2005-846xxx--OK

Rommelandrea----12-19-05--01-03-06--04-04-06--05-12-06--2005-861xxx--OK

sweety_33-------xx-xx-06--04-25-06--05-25-06--08-24-06--2006-xxxxxx--

IR-1/CR-1

mrs.mnez--------07-14-05--xx-xx-xx--11-19-05--03-27-06--2005-xxxxxx--OK

jpg-------------08-15-05--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--07-17-06--2005-xxxxxx

JoelAndAnalyn---12-29-05--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--2006-510xxx

Shortie81-------02-03-06--05-16-06--05-28-06--06-07-06--2006-544xxx--OK-ME

Biancashey------03-09-06--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--xx-xx-xx--2006-576xxx

It's May 25, 2006.

Thanks!

[mychelle 1]

thanks for the quick responses!

two more q's:

first, when you say you can pick up the packet 4 from St. Luke's...you mean, go to St. Luke's on the day of your medical, stay in line, take a number and tell the guard you don't have your appointment letter since you're picking up the packet that day... OR go to St. Luke's the day before your intended medical appointment and pick up the packet, then return the next day early morning for the medical appointment?

which is which? either way it would be no biggie since he'll be staying somewhere walking distance from St. Luke's and will be arriving early afternoon the day before his intended medical. i just want to know if there is a CORRECT protocol on this early medical appointment letter pick-up. i hope this make sense.

second, i saw some postings regarding St. Luke's medical experiences and general questions are thrown out at you...and it seems like all the girls answered NO so the Dr. just go on ahead and marks ok and move them along but there is one question that i'm a bit concerned of: have you ever taken/smoked marijuana?

i'm curious, if the answer is yes, i'm assuming they will ask how long ago and how often or how much you've smoked, right? also, if any of you have first or second hand knowledge...what are the consequences if you answered yes? do they give you a drug test? or they just mark YES/abnormal and move you along too? i figured YES is the RIGHT answer no matter if it has been years ago since you've actually smoked it. i know it's small and trivial but it's seems important at this time.

thanks again!

[Audrey&Romy 0]

first, when you say you can pick up the packet 4 from St. Luke's...you mean, go to St. Luke's on the day of your medical, stay in line, take a number and tell the guard you don't have your appointment letter since you're picking up the packet that day... OR go to St. Luke's the day before your intended medical appointment and pick up the packet, then return the next day early morning for the medical appointment?

which is which? either way it would be no biggie since he'll be staying somewhere walking distance from St. Luke's and will be arriving early afternoon the day before his intended medical. i just want to know if there is a CORRECT protocol on this early medical appointment letter pick-up. i hope this make sense.

If I were your fiance I would call St. Luke's first to make sure my packet is already with them, pick up the packet and have my medical exam after.

second, i saw some postings regarding St. Luke's medical experiences and general questions are thrown out at you...and it seems like all the girls answered NO so the Dr. just go on ahead and marks ok and move them along but there is one question that i'm a bit concerned of: have you ever taken/smoked marijuana?

i'm curious, if the answer is yes, i'm assuming they will ask how long ago and how often or how much you've smoked, right? also, if any of you have first or second hand knowledge...what are the consequences if you answered yes? do they give you a drug test? or they just mark YES/abnormal and move you along too? i figured YES is the RIGHT answer no matter if it has been years ago since you've actually smoked it. i know it's small and trivial but it's seems important at this time.

The obvious thing to do when they ask questions about your drug history is to the tell the truth . But from what I have read is previous posts, those who admitted to drug use were denied. The ball is in your court for this issue.

Also, Form DS-156 has one question pertaining to drug use so you might want to also take that into consideration.

Audrey

[hotairguy 0]

thanks for the quick responses!

second, i saw some postings regarding St. Luke's medical experiences and general questions are thrown out at you...and it seems like all the girls answered NO so the Dr. just go on ahead and marks ok and move them along but there is one question that i'm a bit concerned of: have you ever taken/smoked marijuana?

i'm curious, if the answer is yes, i'm assuming they will ask how long ago and how often or how much you've smoked, right? also, if any of you have first or second hand knowledge...what are the consequences if you answered yes? do they give you a drug test? or they just mark YES/abnormal and move you along too? i figured YES is the RIGHT answer no matter if it has been years ago since you've actually smoked it. i know it's small and trivial but it's seems important at this time.

thanks again!

If you answer yes to ANY question regarding drug use, you will be banned from immigration to the US.

Marilyn and Peter.

[mychelle 1]

i did read it somewhere regarding drug use...that it will result in a ban.

i was just curious because we know someone who applied for a tourist visa and passed his medical even though he smoked pot a week before his medical. i guess they do not do drug testing or at least he said NO when asked that question. all i know is he's been in the states since April.

we're not seriously concerned about current drug use. i was actually asking about smoking pot like back in college and if that should be considered.

[windchaser_4 0]

questions on taking an early medical appointment...

-is the Manila Embassy local number + ext. 5184, the number to call to let them know that we're gonna have an early medical and that we'll pick up our packet 4 @ St. Luke's? if so, do we let them know the date? he already booked a flight for July 18-20.

-also, other than passport, ID and visa pictures (2)...what else must my fiance take with him to St. Luke's?

-so, my understanding is...if you take an early medical, you can't schedule the date and time...so all he can do is go to St. Luke really, really early and take a number? how long is the entire medical appointment?

- can he go back early the next day for results and vaccinations? how long does that take? he wants to catch the earliest flight out of Manila, (the airport is not that far from St. Luke's i think.)

-also i'm trying to look for that link re: contents of packet 4...i'll scan through the pages but if you have it on hand please post when you can.

thanks a bunch! this entire forum, especially the Manila Embassy thread is so helpful...in all levels!!!

You can ask them to just send your packet to the Medical Center and then just bring ID, some kind of proof that you have a K-1, the NOA2 or something like that. It's first come first serve is what they told us, it takes 2 days and they send the info to the Embassy. As far as i know you can't get the results, they send them to the Embassy in a week or two. Ask PW or someone.

Just curious, what's the hurry on the medical and where is he flying to when it says your interview is in Sept.

i did read it somewhere regarding drug use...that it will result in a ban.

i was just curious because we know someone who applied for a tourist visa and passed his medical even though he smoked pot a week before his medical. i guess they do not do drug testing or at least he said NO when asked that question. all i know is he's been in the states since April.

we're not seriously concerned about current drug use. i was actually asking about smoking pot like back in college and if that should be considered.

If it's been years i would say no, if it's been in the last 6 months they would prolly find it.(depending on the test) I would telll them if so, not sure why anyone would use any Illegal substance tho knowing a interview date is coming up Hehe, i read a lot of people didn't make it past the medical/interview because of that.

[hotairguy 0]

Again, not advising anyone on what to do, just presenting the facts. If you tell them that you even looked at drugs 50 years ago, you will be banned from the US.

Marilyn and Peter.