new here.. :)

[burn 0]

hi everyone! ive got a question, my fiancee filed our fiancee visa application december 15th of last year and we havent met in person that time,but he went here in the Philippines last january 12, and now we are waiting for the NOA2 to get approved,we're waiting for almost 4mos now. my question is are they going to call my fiancee and send some following documents or change the letter of intent coz it says there that he will going to meet me on january and we already met,and will it cause any delay? i hope you guys can help me with my question and give me some ideas how it works till the end of the fiancee visa process...thanks so much

[ginomirelle 0]

he filed the case before you met in person? its a requirement that you have to meet within 2 years before filing the petition. if you havent met in person before and applied for a k1 visa your case will be denied. i suggest you withdraw the petition and file again.

[Scott & Annie 19]

hi everyone! ive got a question, my fiancee filed our fiancee visa application december 15th of last year and we havent met in person that time,but he went here in the Philippines last january 12, and now we are waiting for the NOA2 to get approved,we're waiting for almost 4mos now. my question is are they going to call my fiancee and send some following documents or change the letter of intent coz it says there that he will going to meet me on january and we already met,and will it cause any delay? i hope you guys can help me with my question and give me some ideas how it works till the end of the fiancee visa process...thanks so much

Meeting within two years prior to filing the petition is a requirement. If you two had not yet met when he submitted the petition, except for some very specific reasons that my exempt you from this requirement, then I believe it will be rejected and he will have to start all over and pay the fee again. He should have read the instructions. Here are the form and instructions.

Instructions for I-129F

See #2

Form I-129F

See Part B: Q-18

[burn 0]

he filed the case before you met in person? its a requirement that you have to meet within 2 years before filing the petition. if you havent met in person before and applied for a k1 visa your case will be denied. i suggest you withdraw the petition and file again.

[/quot

i appreciate your suggestion,tnx so much.. i will talk to my fiancee later and tell him about this..

[Wally G! 58]

hi everyone! ive got a question, my fiancee filed our fiancee visa application december 15th of last year and we havent met in person that time,but he went here in the Philippines last january 12, and now we are waiting for the NOA2 to get approved,we're waiting for almost 4mos now. my question is are they going to call my fiancee and send some following documents or change the letter of intent coz it says there that he will going to meet me on january and we already met,and will it cause any delay? i hope you guys can help me with my question and give me some ideas how it works till the end of the fiancee visa process...thanks so much

Hi Burn

Welcome to VJ. Your fiancee filed the I-129f petition December 15, 2011. So it has only been 3 1/2 months roughly. Average wait time for NOA2 on K-1 petition is 5 - 6.5 months. You still have some more waiting to do or you may get lucky. You may get approval letter tomorrow but more likely you have 3 more months or waiting.

Requirements for the petitioner and foreign fiancee must have met in person within two years prior to filing the fiancee visa petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Did your fiancee travel to the Philippines and met you in person on January 12 2010? If so he is with in the 2 year time frame. Hope he put all the evidence of meeting you Photos, Plane Tickets, Passport Stamp, Receipts, Chat logs, Letters etc...

If he did all of this then your fine.. Just need to wait for the NOA2.

While your waiting for the NOA2. You can study and prepare for your Visa Application you will file in Philippines. You can look at my K-1 Visa Application process for Manila for a guide or reference.

At this point you should start preparing your fiancé’s Packet 3.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3224.html

Download the K1/K2 Interview Preparation Instructions. Make sure to have all the requirements in the instructions. Review and go over it 3 or 4 times to make sure all is filled correct.

Now your fiancé will pay and schedule the USEM appointment.

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/

Click on the apply button (Green Button " Apply Now ". Fill out the registration information. It is straight forward.

Click Schedule Appointment

Select Immigrant Visa

Click continue

Select K Visas ( Visa for Fiancée , Visa For Spouse )

Select K1 - Fiancé or Fiancée of U.S. Citizen

Click continue

Fill out all information

Click continue

You will receive a confirmation email of you appointment.

If your are not comfortable with the online appointment system. You can always call and set appointment via phone.

To schedule a visa appointment for IV or K petitions, please contact the Embassy’s Visa Information and Appointment Service at (632) 982-5555 or (632) 902-8930.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3238.html

You will now pay for you the fiancé I-129f petition there in Philippines. Fee is U.S. $350 / P15,218. Send a little extra as it is bases on current exchange rate. Cash payment at any Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) branch. Just go into the branch nearest to her and tell them you are paying for K-1 Visa application fee. They will know what to give her to fill out. If she is unsure on what to fill out ask the staff there to help her fill it out.

BPI Branch Locator:

http://info.bpiexpressonline.com/bpiprod/prodserv.nsf/Pop-Ups/BranchesSearch

Require documents at BPI:

Passport and MNL number

When filling out the online applicant or speaking to the USEM agent. You will need the receipt number on the receipt from BPI.

USEM will give her some dates to choose from. Once she selects a date. Appointment is set!! You can reschedule but they will push you further in the month or next month.

Your fiancé will need to prepare for her Medical at St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLEC)

Required Documents:

http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs

Pre-register online and have her print out this letter. This is the appointment letter she needs to present at SLMEC.

http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

Medical fees are: 15 years and older USD 213.35 / PhP 9,387.50. This is paid at SLMEC.

ST. LUKE'S MEDICAL CENTER EXTENSION CLINIC

1177 J. Bocobo St. Ermita, Manila 1000 PHILIPPINES

If your fiancé passes her Medical They will give her a date to come back to SLEC and get her results and medical will CD of chest X-ray

On the interview date she will have a time most likely 6:00 - 6:30 AM to be at the Manila USEM. She needs to have all her required documents in hand, appointment letter, and passport. Again refer to K1/K2 Interview Preparation Instructions as for what is needed. Make sure she has all papers organized. It makes for a easier processing at the embassy and shows seriousness. Buy a organizer with tabs. Label the tabs for each requirement.

Once at the embassy, she will fall in line. They will take her appointment letter, check passport and assign her a number. At the embassy they don't allow any electronic devices.

You are not allowed to enter the U.S. Embassy/Consulate while carrying any of the following items:

battery-operated or electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital diaries, digital watches, pagers, cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3s, floppy disks, laptops, or portable music players

large shoulder bags/purses - only bags that can be carried by hand will be permitted

bags such as travel bags, backpacks, briefcases, suitcases, leather, cloth bags, and zip folders - you can only carry plastic bags containing application-related papers

food items (refreshments are available for purchase in the waiting area)

sealed envelopes or packages

cigarettes, cigars, match boxes, lighters

sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail files

weapons or explosive materials of any kind

If she needs her cell phone they will ask her to check it in at the security section. They will give her a card so she can retrieve at the end of interview.

They will give her a form to fill out on how to deliver the passport with visa. Either it's deliver to her home address or she can go pick it up at a 2GO location.

Once inside, she will need to look on the board for her number to be called. She will go to the window and ask for her paperwork. Then she will be finger printed. They will tell her to wait again. Once her number flashes again, she will have her first interview with Filipino consulate. They will ask her a few questions and check and process her documents. (MAKE SURE SHE HAS ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS). If all is in order she answered all questions to satisfaction. She will then wait again for her number to flash again on the board. Then she will have her final interviewer US consulate. Consulate will process her paperwork and ask a few questions. If all is in order she will be told to wait again for her number to flash. Then she will go to the 2GO window where they will take her passport. They will give her a receipt (make sure to ask if they do not give one).

That's it for the USEM interview. You can now breathe a little easier.

Now if there is a problem. They will give a 221g form and state what the issue is. Now you will need to get them whatever they want in order to proceed. Now this is pull a long process when your in Admin Review. Look on VJ for Admin Review stories.

It will take 5 - 10 days for 2GO to receive visa and passport from USEM.

2GO locator:

http://www.2go.com.ph/CustomerSupport/tools/outlets.asp

2GO Tracking (enter MNL number):

http://www.2go.com.ph/CustomerSupport/etrace/index.asp

Once you have received your passport with visa. Now its time for CFO (Commission on Filipinos Overseas). Now CFO seminar can be done in the beginning before obtaining the visa and passport. You will need to return to get the CFO sticker and Stamp in the passport after receiving the visa passport upon approval and delivery.

St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation - Center for Overseas Workers.

CFO (Commission on Filipinos Overseas) Information.

CFO Seminar is a 1 day seminar and process.

She will need to register for her seminar.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348%3Afiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140&Itemid=813

CFO is to inform fipinos about the country they are traveling to. The Good, Bad and Ugly. They will ask her some questions and issue her CFO sticker and seminar certificate.

Requirements for Registration:

Original and photocopy of Passport;

Original and photocopy of visa;

Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound/ Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada bound/ Certification of Eligibility (for Japan-bound);

Original CFO guidance and counseling certificate;

Duly completed emigrant registration form; and

Payment of the authorized registration fee.

Requirements for Attendance to Guidance and Counseling Program

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348%3Afiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140&Itemid=813

Two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with photograph; (Postal ID, NBI Clearance, Passport w/ Visa)

Duly completed guidance and counseling form;

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/pdf/downloadable%20forms/overseasbasedemigrantform.pdf

If married, certified true copy and photocopy of marriage contract on security paper from the National Statistics Office, or Local Civil Registry Offices; or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate (if married abroad)

Other documents as may be required by the counselors; and

You will pay a fee totaling PhP 650.00. The PhP 250.00 is paid as counseling fee at SMEF-COW or PRISM while the PhP 400.00 is for registration at the CFO.

If you fiancee is under 25 yrs. She will need a written consent letter from her parents or a parent will need to be there with her to give consent of there child's marriage.

> If you are between the ages of 21-24, CFO may require you to submit a letter of parental advice to marry.

> If you are between the ages of 18-20, CFO may require you to submit a letter of parental consent to marry.

Here's why you didn't see anything on the CFO website about those requirements:

The following is from the CFO website:

Requirements for Attendance to Guidance and Counseling Program

Two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with photograph;

Duly completed guidance and counseling form;

If married, certified true copy and photocopy of marriage contract on security paper from the National Statistics Office, or Local Civil Registry Offices; or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate (if married abroad)

Other documents as may be required by the counselors <-----------------------------

Payment of P250.00 counseling fee.

CFO link.

The following forms may come in handy:

Sworn statement that advice of parents or guardian has been asked. (for those who are 21-24 years old)

Consent to marriage of a person under age. (for those who are 18-20 years old)

Marriage applicants who are age 18 to 21 must have parental consent in writing, those age 21 to 25 must have written parental advice (a written indication that the parents are aware of the couple's intent to marry). The revised Family Code of the Philippines, which took effect on August 4, 1988, prohibits marriage for individuals below the age of 18.

U.S. Department of State link.

The quote above is from the section where they are talking about getting married in the Philippines. However, the CFO has been known to require parental advice or parental consent from K-1ers.

It's all on the Consular's discretion whether they require consent from a parent or guardian.

SMEF-Center for Overseas Workers

Good Shepherd Convent

1043 Aurora Boulevard

Quezon City 1108

Philippines

http://www.smef-cow-phil.org/

Once CFO seminar, certificate, Sticker and stamp is completed, you’re done. Book the Flight!!

You will need to pay a NAIA International Departure Fee: PHP 550 mandatory at NAIA.

Edited March 28, 2012 by Wally Greene

[burn 0]

Meeting within two years prior to filing the petition is a requirement. If you two had not yet met when he submitted the petition, except for some very specific reasons that my exempt you from this requirement, then I believe it will be rejected and he will have to start all over and pay the fee again. He should have read the instructions. Here are the form and instructions.

Instructions for I-129F

See #2

Form I-129F

See Part B: Q-18

hi thanks for that info. yeah he wrote in the I-129F Part B question 18 that hes going here january to see me(and that happened) because that is the only time he can take a vacation and it does not conflict with normal business operation, i hope they consider it.

[Peter_Pan 661]

hi everyone! ive got a question, my fiancee filed our fiancee visa application december 15th of last year and we havent met in person that time,but he went here in the Philippines last january 12, and now we are waiting for the NOA2 to get approved,we're waiting for almost 4mos now. my question is are they going to call my fiancee and send some following documents or change the letter of intent coz it says there that he will going to meet me on january and we already met,and will it cause any delay? i hope you guys can help me with my question and give me some ideas how it works till the end of the fiancee visa process...thanks so much

You should have filed after meeting, you will probably get a denial and have to start all over. Better cancel that petition and re-apply ASAP.

Edited March 28, 2012 by Peter_Pan

[Scott & Annie 19]

Hi Burn

Requirements for the petitioner and foreign fiancee must have met in person within two years prior to filing the fiancee visa petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Did your fiancee travel to the Philippines and met you in person on January 12 2010? If so he is with in the 2 year time frame. Hope he put all the evidence of meeting you Photos, Plane Tickets, Passport Stamp, Receipts, Chat logs, Letters etc...

If he did all of this then your fine.. Just need to wait for the NOA2.

That's not correct Wally. You even quoted the requirement above. If her fiance filed the petition in Dec 2011 and they met for the first time in Jan 2012, then they did not meet the requirement of "Meeting before filing the petition".

She did not say they met in 2010.

Edited March 28, 2012 by Scott & Annie

[Wally G! 58]

That's not correct Wally. You even quoted the requirement above. If her fiance filed the petition in Dec 2011 and they met for the first time in Jan 2012, then they did not meet the requirement of "Meeting before filing the petition"

hi everyone! ive got a question, my fiancee filed our fiancee visa application december 15th of last year and we havent met in person that time,but he went here in the Philippines last january 12, and now we are waiting for the NOA2 to get approved,we're waiting for almost 4mos now. my question is are they going to call my fiancee and send some following documents or change the letter of intent coz it says there that he will going to meet me on january and we already met,and will it cause any delay? i hope you guys can help me with my question and give me some ideas how it works till the end of the fiancee visa process...thanks so much

From what she is say is that he went to the Philippines in January 12 of last year 2011. He filed the petition December 15 of last year 2011. Doesn't January come before December in the calendar year??

So the requirements for filing the petitions " petitioner and foreign fiancee must have met in person within two years prior to filing the fiancee visa petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ".

So are they not within the two year time frame??

Edited March 28, 2012 by Wally Greene

[Peter_Pan 661]

filed our fiancee visa application december 15th of last year and we havent met in person that time ... change the letter of intent coz it says there that he will going to meet me on january

Her English is a bit unclear, but I understand they have petitioned before meeting in person, on Dec. 15th, after which he flew over in Jan. of 2012.

And they wrote in their letter of intent that they haven't met yet, but they will in a month after petitioning.

Edited March 28, 2012 by Peter_Pan

[Scott & Annie 19]

From what she is say is that he went to the Philippines in January 12 of last year 2011. He filed the petition December 15 of last year 2011. Doesn't January come before December in the calendar year??

So the requirements for filing the petitions " petitioner and foreign fiancee must have met in person within two years prior to filing the fiancee visa petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ".

So are they not within the two year time frame??

I believe she means by "last january 12" as being Jan 12 2012. She even says that he wrote on the I-129 that he was coming to see her in Jan 2012. I know it's confusing since she didn't write the year, but everyone that has posted here seems to agree she means their first meeting was in Jan 2012.

[Wally G! 58]

filed our fiancee visa application december 15th of last year and we havent met in person that time

Her English is a bit unclear, but I understand they have petitioned before meeting in person, on Dec. 15th, after which he flew over in Jan. of 2012.

Thank you Peter_Pan for clearing the english terms up for me.

My apologies to Scott & Annie . I am use to using year and date if it pertains to current year. If you say last January. I will think you are referring to the previous year.

To the other person (burn). Your fiancee will need to withdrawal the I-129f petition. As he did not meet the requirements of meeting within two years prior to filing the petition with USCIS.

Well you have good VJ'er here to help you and your fiancee along the way. Stay a member and ride with us on this Visa Journey.

God Bless and Good Luck!!!

[burn 0]

Thank you Peter_Pan for clearing the english terms up for me.

My apologies to Scott & Annie . I am use to using year and date if it pertains to current year. If you say last January. I will think you are referring to the previous year.

To the other person (burn). Your fiancee will need to withdrawal the I-129f petition. As he did not meet the requirements of meeting within two years prior to filing the petition with USCIS.

Well you have good VJ'er here to help you and your fiancee along the way. Stay a member and ride with us on this Visa Journey.

God Bless and Good Luck!!!

hi im sorry for not putting the year but yeah my fiancee filed the petition december 2011 and we met in person january 2012.. tnx for all the correction.. i talked to my fiancee and he said that we will wait for the NOA2 and wait for their instructions. coz he stated in I-129F that he will meet me in January 2012( which he did) and that is the only time he can take a vacation and does not conflict with the normal business operation..

thanks so much for all your suggestions..

[Scott & Annie 19]

Not a problem Wally...Hope your journey is going well also!

[Wally G! 58]

Not a problem Wally...Hope your journey is going well also!

:thumbs: We are in the home stretch of the AOS process. Biometric on April 9th. Then waiting for the approval. Fingers crossed!!! Hopefully no issues.