Prepping for the Interview in Manila

[localbballer23 0]

Hey all,

This site has been a tremendous help and I appreciate all of the help and support everyone has given us. I'm quite annoyed at my current situation as my case was completed at the NVC on 6/10 but wasn't shipped out until 6/15. I called the NVC to as when our interview appointment would be but because my case was expedited, we had to contact the embassy directly after they receive our case. DHL delivered our papers to the Manila Embassy on 6/22, almost a week after it was shipped, and I also emailed the embassy to confirm their receipt. They replied that they received our papers but they didn't have an appointment scheduled. That was quite annoying as well but at least the ball is rolling. I had my wife contact the embassy last night since we knew our papers were there and she finally got and appointment date, 7/14. Since we now have our appointment date, my wife is going to do her exam next week. What does she specifically have to bring to the appointment? I have a link from the Manila Embassy website with a checklist of sorts:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Packet%204%20_appointment%20packet_%20English%20rtf%20_revised%20GSS_%20_2__002.pdf

My question is this though, almost all of those papers were already sent in to USCIS as well as the NVC. Does she need to bring everything again or will the embassy already have the papers. From what I've read, I thought all she needed to bring was her passport and medical report, maybe pictures. I don't think she will have any problems with the interview as we've been together since 2005 while I was living in the Philippines. We have 2 children of our own born in 2006 and 2007. I left the Philippines to come back to the US to work in 2008 and we got married in 2009. Any help with us prepping for the interview is much appreciated.

All in all though, I may have seemed like I was just complaining, but it was just my patience being tried. I know the end of this journey is near and that brings me happiness everyday.

Thanks all!

Bryce

[Markieboy 104]

Happy to hear your case is at USEM and that you have an appointment! My advice would be for your wife to have her medical. The sooner, the better. Hopefully, her medical exam will be unremarkable.

USEM should have everything you sent them. However, there are times when some documents are lost or missing. Worst case scenario: a decision on your case is on hold, pending the submission of required documents. It doesn't always happen, but it does happen. IMHO, I would take copies of EVERY completed USCIS form as well as original NSO civil documents (marriage, birth certificates). But that's just me. I wanted to cover EVERY and ALL angles.

Your wife needs to bring her passport to the medical. After a successful medical exam, SLEC will forward her passport and the medical exam results to USEM. I would bring pictures of you and your wife. It does help strengthen your case. During the pre-screening, I was asked to show pictures of me and my stepdaughter.

During the pre-screening, I was asked to submit a completed and signed copy of DS-230. I have absolutely no idea why they needed that. But like I said, I brought copies of EVERYTHING. My OCD becomes handy every now and then.

I wish you best of luck with your wife's medical and upcoming interview! Keep us posted. I hope I was of some help to you.

[Mar_Wil 12]

SLEC will forward her passport and the medical exam results to USEM.

I read recently (couple weeks or so ago) that SLEC no longer keeps and forwards passport to USEM. They stated SLEC imformed them it was a new rule for them to return the passport to the person so it can be used as an identification to enter USEM for interview.

Maybe someone with recent experience at SLEC can chime in on this.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Bottom Line: If it is IMPORTANT for your interview success, then BRING IT.

Good Luck.

[Mar_Wil 12]

I read recently (couple weeks or so ago) that SLEC no longer keeps and forwards passport to USEM. They stated SLEC imformed them it was a new rule for them to return the passport to the person so it can be used as an identification to enter USEM for interview.

Maybe someone with recent experience at SLEC can chime in on this.

I found the thread here on VJ where it states SLEC no longer keeps passports.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/312953-advanced-medical-exam-at-st-lukes/

[carlann 0]

Had my medical on SLEC last June 14&15 and they returned my passport.. they no longer keep passports..

I read recently (couple weeks or so ago) that SLEC no longer keeps and forwards passport to USEM. They stated SLEC imformed them it was a new rule for them to return the passport to the person so it can be used as an identification to enter USEM for interview.

Maybe someone with recent experience at SLEC can chime in on this.

[Markieboy 104]

I found the thread here on VJ where it states SLEC no longer keeps passports.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/312953-advanced-medical-exam-at-st-lukes/

Thanks for the update!

Had my medical on SLEC last June 14&15 and they returned my passport.. they no longer keep passports..

Thanks!

[Redman69 0]

I see you have your answers. I wonder when you say your case was rushed or expediated. I looked for that option and it said they did not do that any more. I wonder if there is something I can do to help my case along. It has been two months since we mailed the I 129F in. Email me at directcurrent@verizon.net if you can. Thanks. RED

[starsinsky 1]

Good luck on your interview, GO PINK !

My Hubby and I are preparing his interview lately. We go through everything time by time. I would like to share what we have prepared for the interview so far, and 6-27-2011 will be our interview time.

We made a few of folders to separate all materials that need or may not need for interview by categories.

For day 1 ( submitting required evidences)

Folder 1:

interview letter

original passport

2 of passport pictures

medical exam result bag

X-ray film

a copy of passport( front page with info)

the newest i-864

3 years of tax returns + W2

6 months of pay subs

employment letter

bank statements

other AOS Evidences( such as, IRAs, stocks, etc.)

DS 230 part 1 + part 2

Day 2 ( for formal intewview)

bring back whatever they dont need for day 1

folder 2:

emails

air mails

post cards

phone records

folder 3

air tickets

western union receipts

package receipts

gift receipts

travel receipts

folder 4:

my husband's personal info, likes diplomas, work history/experience.

his China ID.

folder 5:

our all photos with friends, family members, and studio pictures. I personally suggest you to make a few albums for it, and put most sweet and romantic pictures in front pages. I heard that they very consider the pictures with family.

folder 6:

copy all forms i submitted before ( just in case they ask for it)

I hope my info will help you and your wife out in the best way for her upcoming interview. I have to check it again if i miss anything here after i get off work today, i will let you know.

Edited June 24, 2011 by starsinsky

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

I'd bring everything to the interview. Also, be sure to bring an updated NSO BC and MC as well as the NBI cert.

Good Luck!

[localbballer23 0]

Thanks all for your replies and advice. What's really strange now is that when I emailed the embassy directly regarding our case being expedited, they replied to me last night stating that my wife's interview is on the 7th now. It's really strange to have 2 dates. My wife called and they confirmed that her new date is the 7th. That's less than 2 weeks away now. WOOHOO!!!

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

Thanks all for your replies and advice. What's really strange now is that when I emailed the embassy directly regarding our case being expedited, they replied to me last night stating that my wife's interview is on the 7th now. It's really strange to have 2 dates. My wife called and they confirmed that her new date is the 7th. That's less than 2 weeks away now. WOOHOO!!!

That's a good news! Good luck with the upcoming interview.

[Mar_Wil 12]

Thanks all for your replies and advice. What's really strange now is that when I emailed the embassy directly regarding our case being expedited, they replied to me last night stating that my wife's interview is on the 7th now. It's really strange to have 2 dates. My wife called and they confirmed that her new date is the 7th. That's less than 2 weeks away now. WOOHOO!!!

That is good news. Good luck with the interview.

[magdasal 19]

Thanks all for your replies and advice. What's really strange now is that when I emailed the embassy directly regarding our case being expedited, they replied to me last night stating that my wife's interview is on the 7th now. It's really strange to have 2 dates. My wife called and they confirmed that her new date is the 7th. That's less than 2 weeks away now. WOOHOO!!!

Congrats! That's the same day as my wife's interview.

Sadly, I'm pretty sure my wife won't get outright approval during her interview because it took her too long to get her Hong Kong police certificate application submitted...with only 2 weeks, it won't be there in time, I'm pretty sure. I guess we'll get a 221g after the interview