when can we schedule the interview?

[mizhael smith 0]

hello:

we are about to complete our case at the NVC and soon we will be scheduling the medical appointment, and interview.

we plan to schedule them back to back ... like the medical Monday and Tuesday, then the interview Wednesday. the reason for this is that i will be flying to manila to accompany my wife to both but i only have a week to spend there until i have to go back to work.

we figure that we can go back to the embassy and pick up the visa in person after the interview then fly home to the states together.

does anyone have experience keeping a tight schedule like this at the manila embassy?

1) how quickly does st lukes submit the paperwork to the embassy so we can have the interview?

2) if we can get the interview on Wednesday do you think we can pick up the visa on Friday then fly home Sunday?

3) and finally should i book my wifes flight when i book my ticket or is there some reason i cant until she has her visa?

please let us know if you can help.

thank you.

[sjr09 155]

Your Idea is nice but wishful thinking. Have your wife take the medical now, you can not schedule back to back. After your medical St. Luke’s will forward the result the USEM then the interview will be scheduled, as for the time it takes St. Luke’s to submit is a few days. You can not pick up the visa it will be sent to the address on the form your wife fills out, the visa can take from 2 days to 2 weeks delivered via Air 21 so don’t plan on booking anything at this point.

[mizhael smith 0]

Your Idea is nice but wishful thinking. Have your wife take the medical now, you can not schedule back to back. After your medical St. Luke’s will forward the result the USEM then the interview will be scheduled, as for the time it takes St. Luke’s to submit is a few days. You can not pick up the visa it will be sent to the address on the form your wife fills out, the visa can take from 2 days to 2 weeks delivered via Air 21 so don’t plan on booking anything at this point.

is it 2 days to 2 weeks depending on where she lives?

because the original plan was for me to arrive the day before her interview then hope the visa will be in her hand within 5 days, she just lives in pasig. do you think its possible?

[sjr09 155]

is it 2 days to 2 weeks depending on where she lives?

because the original plan was for me to arrive the day before her interview then hope the visa will be in her hand within 5 days, she just lives in pasig. do you think its possible?

Yes, depending on where she lives. But I have seen visa delivery's for individuals who live in Manila that has taken longer then 1 week, my wife lived two hour out side Manila and her's took 3 days. Go and have her take the medical ASAP get that out of the way, this will help streamline the process.

Edited May 10, 2010 by sjr09

[mizhael smith 0]

Yes, depending on where she lives. But I have seen visa delivery's for individuals who live in Manila that has taken longer then 1 week, my wife lived two hour out side Manila and her's took 3 days. Go and have her take the medical ASAP get that out of the way, this will help streamline the process.

is the manila embassy still allowing people to come in and pick up the visa when it is ready?

[Alcheringa 39]

The best route to take is to complete the medical at St. Lukes, and only after being certain she has cleared the chest x-ray immediately book your interview appointment for a week or so out -- which allows enough time for the packet to make it over to the embassy.

If she does come up positive on the x-ray she could be delayed for several to more than six months while she receives treatment -- for that reason, as well as not knowing for certain whether her visa application will be approved, it is inadvisable to purchase her ticket ahead of time.

Also keep in mind she has to attend the CFO briefing prior to leaving the country --

And, yes, some have told the CO at the end of the interview that they wish to pick up their visa in person and it has been allowed. Not sure if that is a standard allowance, but the typical way to receive it is via Air21. We lived in Pampanga and it took five days to arrive.

In general, if you try to arrange everything around such an optimistic schedule you may find yourself having to re-arrange. There is a lot of little factors that could delay you. If you are only going to be in the PI for a week, it'll be tight for you to make it to everything with her. You might be able to schedule your interview for, say, two or three days after her medical and keep your fingers crossed that the packed has made it across the street in time...

Or let her go with family to her medical before you get there, and then use your week of leave to physically be there with her for the interview -- which is far more important. People will argue that it doesn't matter if you are there, but if you actually love your fiancée I don't see how you could not attend one of the most pivotal events in your relationship. It's a nerve racking experience to sit there waiting on an Interviewer that will invariably determine the course of your life. Plus, the minimal conversation we had with the CO was directed at me as much as it was my fiancée.

Besides, you won't serve much of a purpose at St. Lukes as you can't even enter the building with her, so if you have limited time that'd be a better use of it.

Good luck.

[sjr09 155]

The OP is Cr-1/IR-1 and not K1 but the hopefully the point your trying to get across will sink in.

[sjr09 155]

is the manila embassy still allowing people to come in and pick up the visa when it is ready?

When the Visa Is Issued

• Delivery of visas
  The issued visa will be delivered to the applicant's designated address by Air 21 (the Embassy's authorized courier service provider) within 7 to 10 working days. The visa delivery fee, which is determined by the courier service, is paid by the applicant. This fee to the courier service is separate from any fees paid to the U.S. Government. Applicants do not need return to the Embassy to pick up their issued visas.
  Call this number and ask.
• You may direct visa delivery inquiries to Air21 U.S. Embassy service hotline at 879-4747 or to the U.S. Embassy page at the Air21 website (Click HERE for the link).
• Validity of visas
  Generally, an immigrant visa is valid for six (6) months from the date of issuance. The validity of a visa, however, may also be limited because of medical restrictions or other reasons. If an applicant knows that departure will not be possible within this period, he or she should request to have the interview moved to a later date. The Embassy does not extend the validity of an issued visa. However, an expired visa may be replaced if the applicant is able to demonstrate that his/her ability to use the visa was due to circumstances beyond his/her control. If an applicant is determined to be eligible for a replacement visa, he/she will be asked to update his record and will be charged the applicable consular fees.
  To request a replacement visa, the expired visa needs to be surrendered at the Embassy with a letter explaining the reasons why the visa was not used.
• Pre Departure Orientation Seminar:
  Philippine law requires all departing Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Only emigrants aged 12 years and younger are exempted from attending the PDOS. Although this is not a U.S. Government requirement, we do make this information available to all fiancé(e) and immigrant visa applicants. An information sheet regarding the CFO/PDOS seminar is attached to a visa packet to ensure that applicants are aware of this requirement.
  For additional information (registration and counseling requirements, PDOS schedule, and schedule of guidance and counseling sessions), the applicant may visit CFO’s website at: http://www.cfo.gov.ph.

[sunsetwishes 1]

The best route to take is to complete the medical at St. Lukes, and only after being certain she has cleared the chest x-ray immediately book your interview appointment for a week or so out -- which allows enough time for the packet to make it over to the embassy.

If she does come up positive on the x-ray she could be delayed for several to more than six months while she receives treatment -- for that reason, as well as not knowing for certain whether her visa application will be approved, it is inadvisable to purchase her ticket ahead of time.

Also keep in mind she has to attend the CFO briefing prior to leaving the country --

And, yes, some have told the CO at the end of the interview that they wish to pick up their visa in person and it has been allowed. Not sure if that is a standard allowance, but the typical way to receive it is via Air21. We lived in Pampanga and it took five days to arrive.

In general, if you try to arrange everything around such an optimistic schedule you may find yourself having to re-arrange. There is a lot of little factors that could delay you. If you are only going to be in the PI for a week, it'll be tight for you to make it to everything with her. You might be able to schedule your interview for, say, two or three days after her medical and keep your fingers crossed that the packed has made it across the street in time...

Or let her go with family to her medical before you get there, and then use your week of leave to physically be there with her for the interview -- which is far more important. People will argue that it doesn't matter if you are there, but if you actually love your fiancée I don't see how you could not attend one of the most pivotal events in your relationship. It's a nerve racking experience to sit there waiting on an Interviewer that will invariably determine the course of your life. Plus, the minimal conversation we had with the CO was directed at me as much as it was my fiancée.

Besides, you won't serve much of a purpose at St. Lukes as you can't even enter the building with her, so if you have limited time that'd be a better use of it.

Good luck.

[scotty's girl 1]

Your visa is CR-1/IR-1, it means, you're not the one who is going to schedule your wife's interview. I think it's the NVC.

Once they will give you an interview date, she can have her medical done.

[mizhael smith 0]

thank you everyone for all of your help.

mike and zharina

Edited May 10, 2010 by mizhael smith

[Filipinawife0210 15]

NVC will shcedule your appointment. It is recommended that she go through the medical at least a week or so prior to her interview so the results will be back, and forwarded back to the embassy.

[Poloydim 0]

NVC will shcedule your appointment. It is recommended that she go through the medical at least a week or so prior to her interview so the results will be back, and forwarded back to the embassy.

This is correct, I agree with them 100%...