Got response from NVCResearch w.r.t. MNL #

[Wally G! 58]

The info below is very good and very detailed. But they are "gaps" or "delays" in the time line you don't have to wait for if you don't want to.

Thank you for reading my walkthrough. It took sometime to post this previously on another VJ'er post. This is based on getting ahead of some steps by preparing if there is delays. Of course if all goes well each step can move along quickly."Better to be safe then sorry".

You two should have putting the packet of papers for her together YESTERDAY and only updating any that were out of date today.

I stated in the post to start preparing the packet 3. While their petition is being shipped to USEM. USEM needs time to enter the petition into their system. USEM will receive an electronic copy of the I-129F petition first. If you call and try and set an appointment. USEM will tell you they need to receive the hard copy first before scheduling the appointment.

That's why I posted to start preparing the Packet 3 and all forms and documents needed for the interview and medical.

You don't have to wait for medical results to schedule the manila embassy interview. Yes there is a risk that she will not pass medical and then you will have to rescheduled but if she is in good health the risk is low.

You don't have to wait to pay the visa fees until after the medical. Again there is a risk, I guess if she were rejected at medical from some terrible illness and could never get a visa you would be out the fee. But again the risk is low if she is in good health.

The presumption is if the beneficiary my not have all documents, ID's for there medical and to check what required documents you have. If you have all ID's and documents. The beneficiary is good to go and can pre-register there form on-line and print it out for SLMEC. The beneficiary can go ahead take there medical as it is a walk-in appointment. First come first served.

As the beneficiary is in process with their Medical. The beneficiary can now pay for their petition fee and set there appointment with USEM. As enough time has elapsed for USEM to receive the hard copy I-129F package from NVC and enter it into there system.

The presumption is that if the medical does not go well. They have time to prepare themselves for whatever make be the issue. Example: Annulment (2 week delay), Suicide Scars (1-2 week delay), extreme tattoos(1-2 week delay), Positive Sputum test (30 - 90 day delay depending) these are just estimates. If the beneficiary passes the Medical exam with flying colors. Then its a 3 day process. On to the next process...

As I said before the time to visa in hand can be very fast (under 3 weeks) from here out and it is mostly up you.

This all presumes that all documents are in order and correct, passed medical and no issues at USEM. ie if a key document is missing, errors on documents, does not meet the minimum income requirements and does not receive a 221G form. Then all is perfect. But if they receive a 221G form. They can be delay for a few days or a weeks even months depending.

I like to hope for the best but plan for the worst..

[Wally G! 58]

We need new letters of intent; are these basically identical to the I-129F letters other than a new date? I think I should probably elaborate a bit more about how we met or something?

Yes. The new Letter of intent to marry is the same as what you filed with your I-129F petition. These new letters are for her petition and must have new dates and signatures. You must submit original signed letters both of you. No Copies, Faxes, PDF version. Mail it to her.

Also, I'm unable to get an official-looking letter from my employer. I do have the pay stubs, W-2, ITR, 1040, bank deposits showing the direct deposits, and this statement printed from theworknumber.com that says I work there -- but I could have easily faked that one, it is just HTML and you hit Print. This theworknumber.com thing is all they provide. I've contacted HR twice in writing asking for something better but they are ignoring my request. How doomed am I?

Have your supervisor print out a letter on the company letterhead. It's not the end if you don't have this document but I suggest getting it to avoid any delays if the consulate is a stickler.

[Wally G! 58]

So, she can get on a plane and head straight for the medical now, right? I'm thinking it makes sense to get that done first, then she goes home and waits for the interview. That way, less stress during interview time.

Yes. All she need is a copy NOA2 and MNL letter or just the MNL number with the copy of the NOA2.

All flights are fairly cheap to flight to manila. If she has family in manila maybe she can stay with them. If not, then there are hotels, condotels next to or near SLEMC. All depends on your budget.

We don't have every other document in her hands yet, and I'm not sure how far in advance the interviews are scheduled. I need enough time to get rest of docs (having trouble proving I have a job) and send them to her.

Take your time but not forever. It is best to have all your documents in order before going to the interview. If you are missing any key document or do not meet a requirement you will be delayed. Prepare and double, triple check everything before setting you appointment. If you are 100% sure all documents forms are filled out correct. SET THE USEM INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT !!

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I have only heard people say two days also. Physical day one, complete things and get shots on day two.

We just completed process back in November. Physical was 2 days for us.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Thank you for reading my walkthrough. It took sometime to post this previously on another VJ'er post. This is based on getting ahead of some steps by preparing if there is delays. Of course if all goes well each step can move along quickly."Better to be safe then sorry".

I stated in the post to start preparing the packet 3. While their petition is being shipped to USEM. USEM needs time to enter the petition into their system. USEM will receive an electronic copy of the I-129F petition first. If you call and try and set an appointment. USEM will tell you they need to receive the hard copy first before scheduling the appointment.

That's why I posted to start preparing the Packet 3 and all forms and documents needed for the interview and medical.

The presumption is if the beneficiary my not have all documents, ID's for there medical and to check what required documents you have. If you have all ID's and documents. The beneficiary is good to go and can pre-register there form on-line and print it out for SLMEC. The beneficiary can go ahead take there medical as it is a walk-in appointment. First come first served.

As the beneficiary is in process with their Medical. The beneficiary can now pay for their petition fee and set there appointment with USEM. As enough time has elapsed for USEM to receive the hard copy I-129F package from NVC and enter it into there system.

The presumption is that if the medical does not go well. They have time to prepare themselves for whatever make be the issue. Example: Annulment (2 week delay), Suicide Scars (1-2 week delay), extreme tattoos(1-2 week delay), Positive Sputum test (30 - 90 day delay depending) these are just estimates. If the beneficiary passes the Medical exam with flying colors. Then its a 3 day process. On to the next process...

This all presumes that all documents are in order and correct, passed medical and no issues at USEM. ie if a key document is missing, errors on documents, does not meet the minimum income requirements and does not receive a 221G form. Then all is perfect. But if they receive a 221G form. They can be delay for a few days or a weeks even months depending.

I like to hope for the best but plan for the worst..

Actually you can schedule your appointment as soon as NVC assigns a MNL case number. Just pay the fee at BPI and schedule on line as soon as the payment posts. Usually about 8 hours

[Wally G! 58]

Actually you can schedule your appointment as soon as NVC assigns a MNL case number. Just pay the fee at BPI and schedule on line as soon as the payment posts. Usually about 8 hours

Both methods are correct. You say set appointment as soon as you get MNL# and pay Visa application fee. Which you can do .

I say wait until you have all document, forms and ID's before setting appointment and start medical exam. Either way works .

One if full steam ahead. The others is prudence.

Either way works, no matter which way you flip the coin. It's all upon the individual and there circumstances.

As the other person stated they do not have all there documents ready for the beneficiary. Beneficiary does not want to go next week to do to her medical because of her monthly menstrual.

Oops, she doesn't want to go next week because it is "that time of the month". Probably a wise choice given it is a medical exam?

SLEMC Important Reminders:

(Female applicants of child-bearing age cannot undergo medical examination during their menstrual period. Applicants who have their menstrual period should come back one week after the last day of their period.)

While waiting for him to gather those documents and waiting for her menstrual period to finish. She can pay Visa application fee and pre-register and print out the SLEMC registration form. That way she has those processed finished and in hand ready to go. Once she has all documents ready and finished her menstrual period, he or she can set the appointment and go take her medical or your way (which is not wrong) pay the Visa application fee now, set the appointment now, take the medical now and hope to God he can get the remaining documents to her in time for the USEM interview. Also hope to they do turn her away for have her menstrual period.

I not here battling with you. Just stating my advise.

Other person can follow either advise. Neither is wrong.

[wantmybaby 4]

Well my plan here is to speed things along, not do everything sequentially in a neat and tidy way. I'm betting that the odds of FedEx package getting there before the interview will be pretty high, so I'm comfortable scheduling interview now. I'm only having issue with one document, the employment letter, which may turn out to be impossible, and I can send it in a later envelope if I have to.

I also advised her to get the medical done sooner on a separate trip, not cram everything in on a big giant trip to Manila for medical, interview, CFO and flying out of there all at once. It won't extend the amount of time before she's here any, just cost more and take more travel time back and forth.

[Brian121957 43]

<BR>Oops, she doesn't want to go next week because it is "that time of the month". Probably a wise choice given it is a medical exam?<BR>

<BR><BR>It is is "that time" thay will not do the exam. Good news is the extra time for you to update documents and there will be no need for extar time for packet to reach embasy. She will be able to have medical and just a few days, 3-5, have interview. Edited January 26, 2012 by Brian121957

[Brian121957 43]

We need new letters of intent; are these basically identical to the I-129F letters other than a new date? I think I should probably elaborate a bit more about how we met or something?

Also, I'm unable to get an official-looking letter from my employer. I do have the pay stubs, W-2, ITR, 1040, bank deposits showing the direct deposits, and this statement printed from theworknumber.com that says I work there -- but I could have easily faked that one, it is just HTML and you hit Print. This theworknumber.com thing is all they provide. I've contacted HR twice in writing asking for something better but they are ignoring my request. How doomed am I?

My employer also uses theworknumber.com. I had the same problem. I eventually was able to get some one from personnel and HR to give me a letter when I explained it was for immigration and it was going to Home Land Security, I think just the idea that Home Land Security could be involved and just might might come direct to them to see why they would not provide the letter kind of scared them in to providing it.

[wantmybaby 4]

My employer also uses theworknumber.com. I had the same problem. I eventually was able to get some one from personnel and HR to give me a letter when I explained it was for immigration and it was going to Home Land Security, I think just the idea that Home Land Security could be involved and just might might come direct to them to see why they would not provide the letter kind of scared them in to providing it.

I tried that here. I eventually managed to contact someone in HR by lying to the phone menu system (if I tell them the truth, it forwards me to theworknumber's automated phone system). That person sent me a URL to a PDF file to fill out and mail/fax to them. I did so, first mailing it. The 5-7 days that I am to wait is now 13 days, and nothing. I also faxed the form with further explanation following... no response from that one either. It is nearly as bad here as dealing with government bureaucracy.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Both methods are correct. You say set appointment as soon as you get MNL# and pay Visa application fee. Which you can do .

I say wait until you have all document, forms and ID's before setting appointment and start medical exam. Either way works .

Agree 100%. If you have doubts on when you will have your papers together of course wait until you are sure. However most of us have had at least 5 months to prepare by the time the NOA2 gets here so be ready when that NOA2 comes in.

[Wally G! 58]

Well my plan here is to speed things along, not do everything sequentially in a neat and tidy way. I'm betting that the odds of FedEx package getting there before the interview will be pretty high, so I'm comfortable scheduling interview now. I'm only having issue with one document, the employment letter, which may turn out to be impossible, and I can send it in a later envelope if I have to.

I also advised her to get the medical done sooner on a separate trip, not cram everything in on a big giant trip to Manila for medical, interview, CFO and flying out of there all at once. It won't extend the amount of time before she's here any, just cost more and take more travel time back and forth.

Cool!! Like I said it's all on the individual and circumstances.

Since you are going to speed things along. You can have her take the trip to Manila and complete her medical 2-3 day process.

Note: The following will cause delays on her medical and possible interview date: Annulment(s), Communicable disease, Suicide scars, Tuberculosis, extreme tattoos. These will cause delays.. Annulments and Suicide scars they will order psychological evaluations.

While she is in Manila she can take her CFO Seminar. She won't get her Sticker until she gets approved visa and has passport with visa in hand. CFO Seminar is a 1 day process.

The second trip can be her interview appointment at USEM. If approved, she can have the passport delivered to her home address or pick-up the passport and visa at a 2GO location she has selected. After approval of visa from USEM. Average wait time is 5 - 10 business days for pick-up or delivery in Manila. You can have her wait in manila or travel back home. If she chooses to deliver to her home address not in manila. It could take up to 15 - 30 days for delivery depending on location.

Does she have family in manila? She could stay with them until she receives the passport and visa...?

This is just option I am suggesting.

If you have any question, feel free to ask

[wantmybaby 4]

What does annulment have to do with medical exam? Anyway, she is single.

She was planning on having the visa sent back to Bukidnon. I don't know that she can wait around Manila for 2 weeks. She doesn't know anyone and has never been there.

[wantmybaby 4]

Anyway, the interview appointment is set for February 21. Hopefully we'll have everything by then... should not be a problem as long as FedEx gets things there at the schedule they claim they do.

[Brian121957 43]

5-10 days is about right for pick up in Manila but 15-30 is a little long for delivery to home. Even pick up in Manila is actually picking up from the 2GO courier service. The additional distance to your home should not add that many additional days. Maybe we could do a Philippine survey to see actually delivery times or you could contact 2GO and see what they say for delivery to your location.