Manila case #

[dindo and patty 20]

It can take a lot longer than four hours from the time you pay the visa fee until you are able to schedule an interview. Four hours would be a minimum amount of time.

In the past, the Embassy wouldn't schedule K-1 interviews unless the physical case file was at the Embassy and it was entered into their system.

As I posted in your thread, it's not clear to me that your physical case file was not already in Manila at the Embassy when you finally got your MNL number from the NVC. If your case was still at the NVC, and you were able to make an interview appointment, it would be the first time I've ever heard of it.

Once again...I'd be curious to know...

How exactly did you know that your physical case file was still at the NVC at the time you made the interview appointment? Did you talk to a tier one rep, or a tier two rep?

How exactly did you know that your physical case file was not at the Embassy at the time you made the interview appointment? Did you talk to someone at the Embassy call center, or did you call the IV Unit directly?

We went through this a little over 2 months ago. NOA2 6/24/11, received manila case # 7/27/11 by calling NVC. Called NVC the next day

and they were able to tell me that the package was shipped via DHL 7/28/11. Patty paid the visa fee 7/28/11 and was able to schedule

online 7/29/11 for the interview. I wen to DHL website to track and was able to because it was the only shipment going to the USEM.

It was signed for at the USEM 8/1/11. So, we were able to schedule for an interview prior to the physical file getting to the USEM.

Here is a link explaining on how to track the shipment through DHL website: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/302190-dhl-tracking-from-nvc-to-us-embassy/

Here is DHL's link: http://www.dhl.com/en/express/tracking/shippers_reference.html

This is solely based on our experience. I hope this helps!

[Tahoma 2,292]

We went through this a little over 2 months ago. NOA2 6/24/11, received manila case # 7/27/11 by calling NVC. Called NVC the next day

and they were able to tell me that the package was shipped via DHL 7/28/11. Patty paid the visa fee 7/28/11 and was able to schedule

online 7/29/11 for the interview. I wen to DHL website to track and was able to because it was the only shipment going to the USEM.

It was signed for at the USEM 8/1/11. So, we were able to schedule for an interview prior to the physical file getting to the USEM.

Here is a link explaining on how to track the shipment through DHL website: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/302190-dhl-tracking-from-nvc-to-us-embassy/

Here is DHL's link: http://www.dhl.com/en/express/tracking/shippers_reference.html

This is solely based on our experience. I hope this helps!

Thanks for the reply and thank you for the link. I read the thread. This is an interesting issue. As far as I can tell, One of two things may have happened with your case, as well as scruffydog's case.

One possibility is that the U.S. Embassy Manila now is allowing K-1 interviews to be scheduled as soon as they receive an electronic file from the NVC, rather than waiting for the physical case file. This would be a real timesaver.

The other possibility is that your physical case file was already at the U.S. Embassy Manila and you were not aware of it.

I noticed that it was a bit over a month from the time you got your NOA2 until you got your MNL case number. Normally, this is more than enough time for a physical case file to arrive at the NVC, get assigned a case number, and be shipped to Manila. Could it be possible that your physical case file was already at the Embassy at the time you received your case number? I say this because it's my understanding that the NVC doesn't know which particular petition is in which particular shipment to the Embassy. Anyway, this is what the NVC told me.

In your case, the NVC told you that there was a shipment on 7/28, but did they verify that your petition was included in that shipment? The tier one people at the NVC may assume that if the NVC assigned a case number to a petition, and the case is no longer at the NVC, then it must have gone out on the previous shipment, when it's entirely possible that it went out earlier and already arrived at the Embassy.

On the other side of the same coin, did you verify with the Embassy exactly when they received your physical case file? If so, was it after you made the interview appointment?

I sure hope the answer lies in the first scenario where the Embassy is now allowing interview appointments to be set as soon as they receive the electronic file. I hope others chime in.

[dindo and patty 20]

Thanks for the reply and thank you for the link. I read the thread. This is an interesting issue. As far as I can tell, One of two things may have happened with your case, as well as scruffydog's case.

One possibility is that the U.S. Embassy Manila now is allowing K-1 interviews to be scheduled as soon as they receive an electronic file from the NVC, rather than waiting for the physical case file. This would be a real timesaver.

The other possibility is that your physical case file was already at the U.S. Embassy Manila and you were not aware of it.

I noticed that it was a bit over a month from the time you got your NOA2 until you got your MNL case number. Normally, this is more than enough time for a physical case file to arrive at the NVC, get assigned a case number, and be shipped to Manila. Could it be possible that your physical case file was already at the Embassy at the time you received your case number? I say this because it's my understanding that the NVC doesn't know which particular petition is in which particular shipment to the Embassy. Anyway, this is what the NVC told me.

In your case, the NVC told you that there was a shipment on 7/28, but did they verify that your petition was included in that shipment? The tier one people at the NVC may assume that if the NVC assigned a case number to a petition, and the case is no longer at the NVC, then it must have gone out on the previous shipment, when it's entirely possible that it went out earlier and already arrived at the Embassy.

On the other side of the same coin, did you verify with the Embassy exactly when they received your physical case file? If so, was it after you made the interview appointment?

I sure hope the answer lies in the first scenario where the Embassy is now allowing interview appointments to be set as soon as they receive the electronic file. I hope others chime in.

Around the time frame we were approved, it was well known that there was a delay, which occured with CSC getting the approved petitions to NVC.

I tend to lean on the first scenario. I called NVC and specifically asked if our approved petition was shipped yet and the answer I got was yes it was shipped

on 7/28/11. No, I did not call USEM to verify if the physical file was already there before scheduling the interview appointment online. Plenty of other K-1

couples have done the same thing we did and that is why I tend to lean on the first scenario. The trend continues today with scruffydog.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Around the time frame we were approved, it was well known that there was a delay, which occured with CSC getting the approved petitions to NVC.

I tend to lean on the first scenario. I called NVC and specifically asked if our approved petition was shipped yet and the answer I got was yes it was shipped

on 7/28/11. No, I did not call USEM to verify if the physical file was already there before scheduling the interview appointment online. Plenty of other K-1

couples have done the same thing we did and that is why I tend to lean on the first scenario. The trend continues today with scruffydog.

Yes, I remember the delay regarding NVC receiving petitions from the USCIS. I agree it would tend to support the first scenario.

However, on scruffydog's thread, he seemed to indicate he was unsure about the exact sequence of events because his fiancée is handling all of the details.

I'll keep my eyes open for other couples who are getting their interview appointments so soon after they receive their MNL case number because I'm too lazy to call the Embassy or the NVC to ask them if they are scheduling interview appointments for K-1ers based upon only the electronic file reaching the Embassy. I wonder how other Embassies do it.

[Jim N Augie 16]

yeah I dont know the max time on scheduling just that you need to wait 4 hours after paying visa fee before trying. Don't know about scruffy , all he told me was he got his MNL same day as me. In my case the operator said it was just forwarded the same day I called. I'm curious too. Jim.

Edited October 13, 2011 by Jim N Augie

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

yeah I dont know the max time on scheduling just that you need to wait 4 hours after paying visa fee before trying. Don't know about scruffy , all he told me was he got his MNL same day as me. In my case the operator said it was just forwarded the same day I called. I'm curious too. Jim.

My case was not even in the system at NVC on Friday 7 OCT. The next Business day 11 OCT they told me it had been completed and Forwarded that day. and to allow 2 weeks for it to get to Manila and be processed.. The next morning my wife to be went to the bank and paid the fee. That afternoon she scheduled an appointment about 5 or 6 hours after she paid. I also did not know you could do this, but she said many people who had gone thru the process told you could pay the fee and schedule as soon an you had MNL. . I can't say for certian 100% that Manila did not have my case and have it entered in, but NVC .did not have it in thier system until 11 OCT and we had an appointment the next day. I have talked to at least one more person on here that did the same thing. All I can say is that we were told by many that you could do this, but it was not widely known. We did it and it worked.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

yeah I dont know the max time on scheduling just that you need to wait 4 hours after paying visa fee before trying. Don't know about scruffy , all he told me was he got his MNL same day as me. In my case the operator said it was just forwarded the same day I called. I'm curious too. Jim.

Four hours is what I read was the minimum time. I think as I said in my other post it was 5-6 hours after she paid that she scheduled. All I can recommend to anyone is that if you have MNL and are ready to set an appointment pay your fee and try. You have nothing to lose..

[Tahoma 2,292]

Four hours is what I read was the minimum time. I think as I said in my other post it was 5-6 hours after she paid that she scheduled. All I can recommend to anyone is that if you have MNL and are ready to set an appointment pay your fee and try. You have nothing to lose..

Amen to that, Scruffy!

[Jim N Augie 16]

So it does seem maybe MNL is accepting schedules from the efile and not waiting for hard copy.

[Tahoma 2,292]

So it does seem maybe MNL is accepting schedules from the efile and not waiting for hard copy.

I hope so. That would speed things up by a couple of weeks.

However, there's still a lingering question in my mind about the accuracy of the information given out by the tier one people at the NVC.

[Jim N Augie 16]

I hope so. That would speed things up by a couple of weeks.

However, there's still a lingering question in my mind about the accuracy of the information given out by the tier one people at the NVC.

I agree on both counts

[jasonrowetx 1]

Congrats on the anullment being done,what fun hunh? It's a major crock of @$%^%$& there and virtually traps the basic filipina. Bit of advice make sure the Judges name is signed by hand and not printed on the papers. If you want to email me private I'll tell you what I did for peace of mind thru all this but I don't want anyone to feel I'm advertising so enough said on that. In general , minor children are covered under the mothers k1 you can bring them now or up to one year later. Best to read up on all that.

Thanks for the reply. So, what's your experience with K2 visas and their timelines? Are they the same as K1s? We want everyone to come over at the same time (and as soon as possible), so should we file the K2s at the same time?

Also - another question for all of you here: Is it required to have a home (owned or leased) in order to sponsor a K1 and some K2s? We currently have a home in Manila - and I am staying with family in the US when I am here. I spend about 1/2 of my time in Manila. I am trying to work out the timing as to when we need to actually get a home here. I am not planning on using assets to prove support - as I am fortunate enough to have the income to support the family easily.

Thanks again for all of the support!!

[Tahoma 2,292]

Thanks for the reply. So, what's your experience with K2 visas and their timelines? Are they the same as K1s? We want everyone to come over at the same time (and as soon as possible), so should we file the K2s at the same time?

Also - another question for all of you here: Is it required to have a home (owned or leased) in order to sponsor a K1 and some K2s? We currently have a home in Manila - and I am staying with family in the US when I am here. I spend about 1/2 of my time in Manila. I am trying to work out the timing as to when we need to actually get a home here. I am not planning on using assets to prove support - as I am fortunate enough to have the income to support the family easily.

Thanks again for all of the support!!

You might have better luck getting answers if you start your own thread.

I think you have a choice of bringing the kids over with your fiancée, or they can follow to join. If they follow to join, I think they have one year to do so.

I don't know the domicile rules for a K-1, but it's a good question. I don't think you have to lease/own a house/apartment. You can probably satisfy the requirement by signing a rental agreement with your family.