Question Regarding Medical Appointment and Interview

[Baby Cookie 6]

We got our case number and NVC said they sent it off to Manila Embassy on August 12th. My fiance called up the embassy to find out if they already got it, but the lady wouldn't say whether they did or not. In the Immigration Timeline, there's that spot that says "Consulate Receive" so I was wondering how you guys found out that the consulate received it on that date. Also, the customer service representative at Manila Embassy that my fiance spoke with repeatedly told him that I needed to pay for the visa issuance fee at the bank to be able to schedule an appointment. Isn't the medical appointment supposed to come first? How did you guys learn of your medical appointment? Did you have to wait for the packet that the embassy sent you, or did you receive an e-mail notification from them regarding your medical appointment? I just don't want to schedule an interview before the medical appointment. I need your enlightenment on this. Your reply would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

[Tahoma 2,292]

Here's the way it rolls in Manila...

You never really know when the Embassy will receive your case unless you call them or email them every day. Don't waste your time with that. After the Embassy receives your physical case, they are supposed to send you a letter telling you that you are eligible to schedule an interview, but it takes them a long time to send that letter. Don't wait around for it. Keep in mind that the Embassy not only has to receive your physical case file from the NVC, but they also have to enter it into their system...which takes time. Then it takes them more time to send you a letter. Judging by when your case left the NVC, I would say that your case should entered into their system at any time now. However, don't waste your time calling them and emailing them. Instead...

Go to BPI today and pay the visa fee. Tomorrow, start trying to schedule an interview. Try every day. You will know when your case has been entered into their system when you are able to schedule an interview appointment either online or through the call center.

After you schedule your interview, go get your medical completed. You can get your medical completed anytime up until a few days before your interview. You can use your NOA2 from the USCIS and your MNL case number from the NVC to get into St. Lukes. Of course, you can also use your interview confirmation sheet to get into St. Lukes.

After your medical, complete your CFO seminar. When you finally get your visa, go to the CFO main office and get the CFO sticker attached to your passport. You need it.

For your reading pleasure, here is the eligibility letter the Embassy is going to eventually send you.

Ingat ka.

[Baby Cookie 6]

I thought all along that it was the Embassy or NVC that would give me specific dates for the medical appointment. So now I know that I could just go there anytime or few days before my interview date as long as I present to them the documents you stated above.

Thank you very much for your well-explained reply, as well as for the links that you have sent, I enjoyed reading them -- very useful and very helpful at the same time. Yours was such a big help. I will go and pay BPI now.

Once again, thank you!

[Tahoma 2,292]

Walang anuman po.

Best wishes for a smooth and speedy visa journey!