Important Announcement for Manila k1 beneficiaries

[BB & MJ 3]

I agree...tsktsktsk...this transition is confusing. BB & MJ said above that you now are required to pay BPI.

Yup, according to the operator, for those who have scheduled recently, but haven't paid the visa payment at BDO (prior to the new transition), you will NOW PAY THROUGH BPI. I will let you guys know what happens as soon as my fiancee contacts me and informs me of her experience tomorrow....

[Tahoma 2,292]

can i still go to medical if i have sorethroat?

Yup, you should go to your medical.

Im also concerned about the timing of her medical. Since our interview is for next week (10th) is it enough time for her to take the medical and get the results if she goes this Thursday Dec 2nd?

Yup, you're fine.

[BB & MJ 3]

Yup, you should go to your medical.

Yup, you're fine.

Thanks my friend! Happy Holidays. God bless always

[BB & MJ 3]

Got approval to leave work early and was able to get an available departure for Monday Dec. 6th to be with my fiancee.... Lord o lord, please bless my sweetheart on her medical exam

Next Mission: GET THE PINK!!!

Edited November 30, 2010 by BB & MJ

[Chazzie 1]

Lurkers are welcome to add their name.

Handang handa na! Hes actually at the embassy now as i write this.I'll keep u guys updated!

[Chazzie 1]

Got approval to leave work early and was able to get an available departure for Monday Dec. 6th to be with my fiancee.... Lord o lord, please bless my sweetheart on her medical exam

Next Mission: GET THE PINK!!!

Hows her medical? hope everything went well.

Have a safe trip on Dec 6.

[BB & MJ 3]

Handang handa na! Hes actually at the embassy now as i write this.I'll keep u guys updated!

Good luck to your fiancee....GET THAT PINK!!

Hows her medical? hope everything went well.

Have a safe trip on Dec 6.

Thanks Chazzie! She will be doing her Medical tomorrow (Dec. 2nd Manila Time)

[mcdsnight 5]

mcdsnight - You are in the same boat as me, my friend. You have two choices basically. Keep the interview date, pay through BPI (if not paid yet) and attend your medical. We're basically on the same timeframe (I just have a day more than you). The 2nd option would be to do a "no show" on the 9th, according to the operator then TRY to reschedule. I emphasize TRY, because I was told that they could not promise that you could get an open date EVEN FOR DECEMBER. She said most likely for JANUARY. When I heard that, I thought to myself "Forget this. No way I'm going to take that chance." I guess things happen for a reason. I should be happy that I got a December date. Now, I'm forced to make the adjustment and rush the coming days. Take it as it is and look at it this way, "If we're approved on December 10th, it will be ALL WORTH IT." Enjoy my holidays then bring her back for the New Year....

Thanks BB & MJ! We are having troubles now with his leave coz the military is giving him a hard time on it. I still hope he'll be able to come here. I accepted that he won't be at our interview but maybe at least for Christmas. I'm glad you're able to move your leave and be with her on her interview. I'm quite sick today so I will have my medical tomorrow, I might encounter your fiancee there... Happy Holidays, have a safe trip, best of luck and thanks again!

Yup, you should go to your medical.

Yup, you're fine.

thanks Tahoma! you are of great help!

[BB & MJ 3]

Thanks BB & MJ! We are having troubles now with his leave coz the military is giving him a hard time on it. I still hope he'll be able to come here. I accepted that he won't be at our interview but maybe at least for Christmas. I'm glad you're able to move your leave and be with her on her interview. I'm quite sick today so I will have my medical tomorrow, I might encounter your fiancee there... Happy Holidays, have a safe trip, best of luck and thanks again!

Mcdsnight, hope you feel better! Yes, you might see her there (she'll be with her mom). I'll pray for both of you to have a successful medical exam. Happy Holidays to you as well. Take care and good luck on your interview next week....

[Tahoma 2,292]

Here's the scorecard:

> Chazzie.......Dex is at the Embassy right now for his interview!!!

> BB & MJ.......Going to Manila Dec. 6...Medical on Dec 2...Interview on December 10.

> jean&chard.......Interview on December 9 at 7:00 a.m.

> mcdsnight.......Medical on Dec. 2...Interview on December 9...Wants to reschedule interview for December 13 (or so).

> idaho_and_surigao.......Will pay the visa fee on December 2 at BPI...Will schedule an interview shortly thereafter.

> wbuchko.......Will pay the visa fee on December 9 or 10...Wants to schedule an interview for January 18.

[BB & MJ 3]

Guys, I just got off the phone with the Call Center #214-571-1600 just to verify that the payments will be made to BPI now (not BDO) and they acknowledge that is correct. HOWEVER, I'm not sure if I spoke with a competent agent because I asked her (just in case) what forms are still needed for the interview. After putting me on hold for 10 min to verify (maybe she didn't know) she told me that my fiancee will need to fill out the DS-230 formand bring it to the interview. I asked her about the standard DS-157, DS-156K and DS-156 and she didn't even know anything about them. Guys, can some of you call them and verify this? This can't be right. She said due to the "new" transition, only the DS-230 is needed and the payment receipt. I am very weary of this information. I might have to complete this just in case. If you guys can verify this, let's post and inform each other. Thanks guys!

[idaho_and_surigao 3]

Guys, I just got off the phone with the Call Center #214-571-1600 just to verify that the payments will be made to BPI now (not BDO) and they acknowledge that is correct. HOWEVER, I'm not sure if I spoke with a competent agent because I asked her (just in case) what forms are still needed for the interview. After putting me on hold for 10 min to verify (maybe she didn't know) she told me that my fiancee will need to fill out the DS-230 formand bring it to the interview. I asked her about the standard DS-157, DS-156K and DS-156 and she didn't even know anything about them. Guys, can some of you call them and verify this? This can't be right. She said due to the "new" transition, only the DS-230 is needed and the payment receipt. I am very weary of this information. I might have to complete this just in case. If you guys can verify this, let's post and inform each other. Thanks guys!

I doubt very much this is correct. I have heard of some consolutates asking for the top portion (Bio-metric data) to be filled out, BUT have never heard of Manila asking for this. Accroding to the USEM' you still need DS-157, DS-156K and DS-156, but the person I spoke to said 'this may change' whatever that means! go ahead and fill out the DS-230 just in case would be my advice (I know we will) Again though, as the DS230 is for an immigrant Visa...I cant see how it would be needed for a k1.

[idaho_and_surigao 3]

I doubt very much this is correct. I have heard of some consolutates asking for the top portion (Bio-metric data) to be filled out, BUT have never heard of Manila asking for this. Accroding to the USEM' you still need DS-157, DS-156K and DS-156, but the person I spoke to said 'this may change' whatever that means! go ahead and fill out the DS-230 just in case would be my advice (I know we will) Again though, as the DS230 is for an immigrant Visa...I cant see how it would be needed for a k1.

Just called the USEM. NO NO NO. you do not need DS230. you do need, DS-157, DS-156K and DS-156 and all the other documents they mention in their instructions.

BE VERY SKEPTICAL OF THESE CALL CENTER PEOPLE! they probably have 8 hours of training to cover ALL the visa types they handle.

[d0n_the_dragon 0]

Just called the USEM. NO NO NO. you do not need DS230. you do need, DS-157, DS-156K and DS-156 and all the other documents they mention in their instructions.

BE VERY SKEPTICAL OF THESE CALL CENTER PEOPLE! they probably have 8 hours of training to cover ALL the visa types they handle.

I can attest to their incompetence! I had my fiancee call the call center to try and see if I can reschedule my December 10 interview (like BB&MJ, I took the 12/10 interview slot). When she called she was surprised to hear that there was an available slot for 12/16 at 6:50 am. HOWEVER, like what BB&MJ mentioned the agent informed my fiancee that she would need to bring her completed DS160! So my fiancee got off the phone and informed me that she was able to reschedule for 12/16. I asked her to immediately check her e-mail to see if she received the confirmation letter. Surprise surprise - she hasn't. This was the time the cynic within me doubt that we were indeed rescheduled. I had my fiancee call again to verify that we were indeed rescheduled and low and behold the second agent didn't have any record of our supposed 12/16 appointment. She was in the process of making her second attempt to reschedule and was asking a bunch of questions to the agent and in doing so the agent described the process: (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

1. THEY (THE NEW CALL CENTER) DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE OLD SYSTEM (VISA POINT). THEREFORE, CAN'T SEE THE OLD/EXISTING APPOINTMENT THAT WE HAD MADE.

2. THE WAY IT GOES IS THAT THEY WILL TELL YOU (WHOEVER IS CALLING-EITHER THE BENEFICIARY OR THE PETITIONER) THAT THEY HAVE SCHEDULED YOU FOR AN INTERVIEW (BUT IN REALITY AND BEHIND THE SCENE THEY ARE GOING TO PROPOSE YOUR DESIRED INTERVIEW DATE TO THE EMBASSY. THIS INTERVIEW DATE PROPOSAL IS SUBJECT FOR APPROVAL BY THE EMBASSY. IF THEY APPROVE IT, THE EMBASSY WILL BE THE ONE TO SEND YOU THE CONFIRMATION OF THE INTERVIEW WITHIN 24 HOURS OF CALLING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROCESS IS IF IT DOESN'T GET APPROVED)

So, after all the time spent talking to the agent - my fiancee and I decided to just stick with our original interview date of 12/10 and not bother rescheduling it. Fiancee hangs up the phone. We still had questions lingering at the back of our minds (like if the rescheduled date did go through, will our old appointment date be canceled?). To appease our minds, I asked my fiancee to call the US embassy again to verify the information that was given to her by the agent. The person that she talked to informed her that the instructions/information given to her was in fact inaccurate. The embassy employee also recommended that we just keep our existing appointment.

Having said that, I strongly recommend that you don't believe anything that the call center may tell you when you call them in the future.

[BB & MJ 3]

I can attest to their incompetence! I had my fiancee call the call center to try and see if I can reschedule my December 10 interview (like BB&MJ, I took the 12/10 interview slot). When she called she was surprised to hear that there was an available slot for 12/16 at 6:50 am. HOWEVER, like what BB&MJ mentioned the agent informed my fiancee that she would need to bring her completed DS160! So my fiancee got off the phone and informed me that she was able to reschedule for 12/16. I asked her to immediately check her e-mail to see if she received the confirmation letter. Surprise surprise - she hasn't. This was the time the cynic within me doubt that we were indeed rescheduled. I had my fiancee call again to verify that we were indeed rescheduled and low and behold the second agent didn't have any record of our supposed 12/16 appointment. She was in the process of making her second attempt to reschedule and was asking a bunch of questions to the agent and in doing so the agent described the process: (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

1. THEY (THE NEW CALL CENTER) DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE OLD SYSTEM (VISA POINT). THEREFORE, CAN'T SEE THE OLD/EXISTING APPOINTMENT THAT WE HAD MADE.

2. THE WAY IT GOES IS THAT THEY WILL TELL YOU (WHOEVER IS CALLING-EITHER THE BENEFICIARY OR THE PETITIONER) THAT THEY HAVE SCHEDULED YOU FOR AN INTERVIEW (BUT IN REALITY AND BEHIND THE SCENE THEY ARE GOING TO PROPOSE YOUR DESIRED INTERVIEW DATE TO THE EMBASSY. THIS INTERVIEW DATE PROPOSAL IS SUBJECT FOR APPROVAL BY THE EMBASSY. IF THEY APPROVE IT, THE EMBASSY WILL BE THE ONE TO SEND YOU THE CONFIRMATION OF THE INTERVIEW WITHIN 24 HOURS OF CALLING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROCESS IS IF IT DOESN'T GET APPROVED)

So, after all the time spent talking to the agent - my fiancee and I decided to just stick with our original interview date of 12/10 and not bother rescheduling it. Fiancee hangs up the phone. We still had questions lingering at the back of our minds (like if the rescheduled date did go through, will our old appointment date be canceled?). To appease our minds, I asked my fiancee to call the US embassy again to verify the information that was given to her by the agent. The person that she talked to informed her that the instructions/information given to her was in fact inaccurate. The embassy employee also recommended that we just keep our existing appointment.

Having said that, I strongly recommend that you don't believe anything that the call center may tell you when you call them in the future.

Awesome post Don! Thanks for this, I couldn't have explained it any better. This is exactly the same run around I got yesterday. The call center has NO IDEA WHATSOEVER on what forms will need to be filled out. The DS-230 for the K-Visa? Cmon. I was skeptical as well, but now after reading your post, you've calmed my nerves about the DS Forms. I almost reached the point during the call in which I was going to criticize her knowledge about all of this, but that's not me. NEVER. Anyways, thanks for the valuable information guys. Don, maybe we'll see each other there? Our appt is on the 10th as well at 7:00AM. Good luck my friend..