Is it possible for me to schedule interview now?

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

You can call it bogus, but it doesn't make it so. It's what actually happened in my case. Facts are facts.

I was not saying your case did not hit a sang of some kind, but your case was highly unusual.I was just emphasizing to anyone who reads this, especially new members, that when you have your MNL assigned your can pay your fee and schedule your appointment. They don't have to wait on the physical package to arrive. More than likely it will take 2-3 weeks to get the medical and find an open appointment, so they will have plenty of time for the package to arrive.

Some people want to get it done as quickly as possible other are content to go a bit slower and allow plenty of time for any thing that may arise.

[StraightShooter 62]

I was not saying your case did not hit a sang of some kind, but your case was highly unusual.I was just emphasizing to anyone who reads this, especially new members, that when you have your MNL assigned your can pay your fee and schedule your appointment. They don't have to wait on the physical package to arrive. More than likely it will take 2-3 weeks to get the medical and find an open appointment, so they will have plenty of time for the package to arrive.

Some people want to get it done as quickly as possible other are content to go a bit slower and allow plenty of time for any thing that may arise.

And my point was that I did exactly as you and others have said, but ran into the issue where USEM said the package hadn't arrived or been uploaded and they couldn't set the appointment even though it had been 10 days since I'd received our MNL number. I stated this for new members especially, because it isn't "highly unusual" if a person has time to read some threads here on VJ. Many folks are in fact able to make the embassy appointment quickly, but it is not guaranteed.

I certainly wasn't content to "go slow" and did everything possible to expedite setting the medical and interview appointments early on. But, it couldn't be done immediately upon receipt of the MNL number.

All that being said, we did get everything accomplished quickly and are now just marking time, waiting for the visas to be delivered.

[Mogambi 96]

You can call it bogus, but it doesn't make it so. It's what actually happened in my case. Facts are facts.

Just because it happened to YOU doesn't make it fact either! You're telling what happened to you as if that will happen to everyone. In FACT, your situation appears to be fairly unique. We called the NVC, got our case number, and paid the BPI fee and schedule the interview the next day! So there was no waiting in our case either. Once it's assigned a case, it's in the computer, and that's all that counts. You do NOT need to wait for the package to arrive in Manila.

Also, just FYI, the US Embassy DOES still send out a notice, it just has info that also links to the US Embassy Website. But some people find that due to the postal system in Philippines, they never receive it, or it arrives much later. But you 'should' get something, as long as the address you have listed for your fiancé there is a deliverable address.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

And my point was that I did exactly as you and others have said, but ran into the issue where USEM said the package hadn't arrived or been uploaded and they couldn't set the appointment even though it had been 10 days since I'd received our MNL number. I stated this for new members especially, because it isn't "highly unusual" if a person has time to read some threads here on VJ. Many folks are in fact able to make the embassy appointment quickly, but it is not guaranteed.

I certainly wasn't content to "go slow" and did everything possible to expedite setting the medical and interview appointments early on. But, it couldn't be done immediately upon receipt of the MNL number.

All that being said, we did get everything accomplished quickly and are now just marking time, waiting for the visas to be delivered.

Yeah I got you dude, you had a problem. This is actually highly unusual. My comment about others taking thier time, was because some people. like to give everything time to unfold and not rush thru it, I got it that you were not in the category.

[StraightShooter 62]

Just because it happened to YOU doesn't make it fact either! You're telling what happened to you as if that will happen to everyone. In FACT, your situation appears to be fairly unique. We called the NVC, got our case number, and paid the BPI fee and schedule the interview the next day! So there was no waiting in our case either. Once it's assigned a case, it's in the computer, and that's all that counts. You do NOT need to wait for the package to arrive in Manila.

Also, just FYI, the US Embassy DOES still send out a notice, it just has info that also links to the US Embassy Website. But some people find that due to the postal system in Philippines, they never receive it, or it arrives much later. But you 'should' get something, as long as the address you have listed for your fiancé there is a deliverable address.

A FACT is something that is indisputable, not an opinion. The FACT is that it DID HAPPEN to to us and COULD happen to anyone. And nowhere did I say that it WOULD happen to EVERYONE. Don't exaggerate.

I called USEM just a few days after we had our MNL number and 24 hours AFTER the visa fee had been paid at BPI. I was told by USEM that they had NOTHING in the system and to call back in a few days, which I did and was able to then set the appointment.

People also try to set their appointments online and get "receipt not found" sometimes and that means that even though they have an MNL number and their visa fees have been paid, that the information isn't in the system YET. You joined here a month ago and now know everything. Right. Got it.

Yeah I got you dude, you had a problem. This is actually highly unusual. My comment about others taking thier time, was because some people. like to give everything time to unfold and not rush thru it, I got it that you were not in the category.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

[hcfrey 6]

the other reason why you'll see receipt not found is that the receipt sometime takes time before it gets into their system, sometime it takes 4 hours to 24 hours before you can set your appointment after paying your visa, but sometime takes a little bit longer, but it doesn't mean your case isn't in the USEM yet, i know about it because we have friends working at USEM, you don't have to wait for the package to be physically present at USEM on the time you're going to set an appointment because once there's mnl case # it is already in their system/computer, a lot of my friends ask me to set their appointment for them and i seen once you enter you MNL case # you'll see your name and some info. are already there i have 4 friends that after getting their MNL case # they paid their visa then the next day they asked me to help them setting their appointment because they don't know how to do it online because we can't deny it is really hard to connect tru phone call i did set their interview and i set their appointments they are close friends i am happy they trusted me and it takes 2 weeks or less before the package gets at USEM so within that time you can do your medical and gather all the docs you need before going to your interview. but if you're not really in a hurry to be with your fiance/e it is ok to just wait

[KIPLZ 0]

the other reason why you'll see receipt not found is that the receipt sometime takes time before it gets into their system, sometime it takes 4 hours to 24 hours before you can set your appointment after paying your visa, but sometime takes a little bit longer, but it doesn't mean your case isn't in the USEM yet, i know about it because we have friends working at USEM, you don't have to wait for the package to be physically present at USEM on the time you're going to set an appointment because once there's mnl case # it is already in their system/computer, a lot of my friends ask me to set their appointment for them and i seen once you enter you MNL case # you'll see your name and some info. are already there i have 4 friends that after getting their MNL case # they paid their visa then the next day they asked me to help them setting their appointment because they don't know how to do it online because we can't deny it is really hard to connect tru phone call i did set their interview and i set their appointments they are close friends i am happy they trusted me and it takes 2 weeks or less before the package gets at USEM so within that time you can do your medical and gather all the docs you need before going to your interview. but if you're not really in a hurry to be with your fiance/e it is ok to just wait

This thread was exactly what I was looking for. I got my case number earlier this month, called the NVC and found out they sent the case to Manila on 22 June. Everytime I call the embassy, they say that the case was received electronically but was told that I couldn't schedule the interview until the physical package is received. After reading this thread, I'm just going to say screw it and schedule the interview 2 or 3 weeks out. Besides the medical, all the required documents are in hand. Praying everything works out....

[Darnell 8,478]

Please to Read Wally G's Most Masterful Post at Wally G http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=367487&view=findpost&p=5369357

Click it, read it all, study the content of the links HE'S provided.

Then make yer plan.. But do take 2 days to study his stuff, aye? pen to paper studying , big revision, as this is one the hardest exams you will have this year

[hcfrey 6]

This thread was exactly what I was looking for. I got my case number earlier this month, called the NVC and found out they sent the case to Manila on 22 June. Everytime I call the embassy, they say that the case was received electronically but was told that I couldn't schedule the interview until the physical package is received. After reading this thread, I'm just going to say screw it and schedule the interview 2 or 3 weeks out. Besides the medical, all the required documents are in hand. Praying everything works out....

did you ask NVC to give you the MNL case # even just tru phone? you can also get when you email NVC, the # is all that important to continue setting the appointment. and if you do your medical and they ask you about your MNL case # just tell slec that you don't have the hard copy yet that it is still at your fiance but you do know the # just wright it on a paper, Plus they will ask for the confirmation letter of your interview, but the 2 things i said is also optional, you can do the medical even you don't have MNL case # and interview date yet you can still do the medical, it is weird here in PI but reminder the validity of your visa will be based on the validity of your medical, medical's validity is only 6 months, so if i am the one going to go to my interview i'll do my medical a week or 2 before my interview date so that i have enough time and i won't have to hurry BUT if you get your visa few days before your medical expires USEM will call you if you're going to fly so soon or not yet so soon they will ask you to re-do your medical they send it to them then you'll get a visa with 6 months validity

[KIPLZ 0]

did you ask NVC to give you the MNL case # even just tru phone? you can also get when you email NVC, the # is all that important to continue setting the appointment. and if you do your medical and they ask you about your MNL case # just tell slec that you don't have the hard copy yet that it is still at your fiance but you do know the # just wright it on a paper, Plus they will ask for the confirmation letter of your interview, but the 2 things i said is also optional, you can do the medical even you don't have MNL case # and interview date yet you can still do the medical, it is weird here in PI but reminder the validity of your visa will be based on the validity of your medical, medical's validity is only 6 months, so if i am the one going to go to my interview i'll do my medical a week or 2 before my interview date so that i have enough time and i won't have to hurry BUT if you get your visa few days before your medical expires USEM will call you if you're going to fly so soon or not yet so soon they will ask you to re-do your medical they send it to them then you'll get a visa with 6 months validity

To avoid confusion, I'm the petitioner...the USC. I called the NVC and got the MNL case number from them. I was going to set the interview about 2 or 3 weeks from now so my fiancee there in the PI has enough time to do the medical next week. Thanks for the advice on the medical. I'll pass this info on to my fiancee.

[Hank_ 9,174]

After NOA2 AND YOU HAVE YOUR MNL # (don't need to wait for the letter from the embassy )

(open all of these links then save them to your bookmarks so you have them for easy access)

Embassy:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction%20Packet%20_3__rtf2_003.pdf

The DS-156 can be difficult to complete sometimes, if you have issues try a different web browser. I had problems getting it to print with IE8, Chrome, Firefox, finally got it to print using Safari.

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

When scheduling online with the embassy you need to include the "XX" at the beginning of the passport number, your passport number IS your receipt number.

Priorty Date; this is the date the NOA 1 was accepted.

Make sure to print two copies of the interview confirmation page as you will need one for St. Luke's and the other for the embassy.

Contact Info for USEM:

Embassy (Manila) Phone Number (and email)

(632) 301-2000, extension 5184 or 5185

** (214) 571-1600 or (646) 254-3546 (these are USA numbers)

local number: USEM 3012000 loc 5184/5185 call them around 3-4:30pm

For general inquiries: IVManilaReplies@state.gov

To enable us to electronically sort the messages and provide better, more timely responses, you should follow the instructions below.

The subject line of your email should indicate the visa applicant’s last name, first and middle name (ex. DOE, John James), case number/USCIS receipt number, visa category and priority date.

Messages should be limited to 500 characters or less.

The mail size should not be more than 15 KB.

Do not submit documentation or attachments with your message as our system is unable to receive inquiries with attachments.

Do not send your inquiry more than once as duplicate inquiries will congest our system and delay our response time.

St. Luke's:

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

Have copies of passport bio page, confirmation page from scheduling interview online at embassy, and of course the 2X2 photos. (copy of annulment is asked for at times)

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

Preregister at St. Luke's, it saves time when you arrive.

CFO:

ALL exiting required to attend.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140#ThirdA

Required documents & "OTHER DOCUMENTS" they ask for at CFO: copies of; CENOMAR, certified birth certificate, bio page of passport, visa page from passport, pictures together, from USC - bio page of passport, birth certificate, divorce decree (if been married before) are the most common. The "other documents" clause can be ANYTHING with those nit-wits at CFO.

** From the Family Code of the Philippines: it's 21-25 years old for advice and 18-21 years old for consent.

Art. 14. In case either or both of the contracting parties, not having been emancipated by a previous marriage, are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one, they shall, in addition to the requirements of the preceding articles, exhibit to the local civil registrar, the consent to their marriage of their father, mother, surviving parent or guardian, or persons having legal charge of them, in the order mentioned. Such consent shall be manifested in writing by the interested party, who personally appears before the proper local civil registrar, or in the form of an affidavit made in the presence of two witnesses and attested before any official authorized by law to administer oaths. The personal manifestation shall be recorded in both applications for marriage license, and the affidavit, if one is executed instead, shall be attached to said applications. (61a)

Art. 15. Any contracting party between the age of twenty-one and twenty-five shall be obliged to ask their parents or guardian for advice upon the intended marriage. If they do not obtain such advice, or if it be unfavorable, the marriage license shall not be issued till after three months following the completion of the publication of the application therefor.A sworn statement by the contracting parties to the effect that such advice has been sought,together with the written advice given, if any, shall be attached to the application for marriage license. Should the parents or guardian refuse to give any advice, this fact shall be stated in the sworn statement.

[hcfrey 6]

:thumbs:

After NOA2 AND YOU HAVE YOUR MNL # (don't need to wait for the letter from the embassy )

(open all of these links then save them to your bookmarks so you have them for easy access)

Embassy:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction%20Packet%20_3__rtf2_003.pdf

The DS-156 can be difficult to complete sometimes, if you have issues try a different web browser. I had problems getting it to print with IE8, Chrome, Firefox, finally got it to print using Safari.

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

When scheduling online with the embassy you need to include the "XX" at the beginning of the passport number, your passport number IS your receipt number.

Priorty Date; this is the date the NOA 1 was accepted.

Make sure to print two copies of the interview confirmation page as you will need one for St. Luke's and the other for the embassy.

Contact Info for USEM:

Embassy (Manila) Phone Number (and email)

(632) 301-2000, extension 5184 or 5185

** (214) 571-1600 or (646) 254-3546 (these are USA numbers)

local number: USEM 3012000 loc 5184/5185 call them around 3-4:30pm

For general inquiries: IVManilaReplies@state.gov

To enable us to electronically sort the messages and provide better, more timely responses, you should follow the instructions below.

The subject line of your email should indicate the visa applicant’s last name, first and middle name (ex. DOE, John James), case number/USCIS receipt number, visa category and priority date.

Messages should be limited to 500 characters or less.

The mail size should not be more than 15 KB.

Do not submit documentation or attachments with your message as our system is unable to receive inquiries with attachments.

Do not send your inquiry more than once as duplicate inquiries will congest our system and delay our response time.

St. Luke's:

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

Have copies of passport bio page, confirmation page from scheduling interview online at embassy, and of course the 2X2 photos. (copy of annulment is asked for at times)

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

Preregister at St. Luke's, it saves time when you arrive.

CFO:

ALL exiting required to attend.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140#ThirdA

Required documents & "OTHER DOCUMENTS" they ask for at CFO: copies of; CENOMAR, certified birth certificate, bio page of passport, visa page from passport, pictures together, from USC - bio page of passport, birth certificate, divorce decree (if been married before) are the most common. The "other documents" clause can be ANYTHING with those nit-wits at CFO.

** From the Family Code of the Philippines: it's 21-25 years old for advice and 18-21 years old for consent.

Art. 14. In case either or both of the contracting parties, not having been emancipated by a previous marriage, are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one, they shall, in addition to the requirements of the preceding articles, exhibit to the local civil registrar, the consent to their marriage of their father, mother, surviving parent or guardian, or persons having legal charge of them, in the order mentioned. Such consent shall be manifested in writing by the interested party, who personally appears before the proper local civil registrar, or in the form of an affidavit made in the presence of two witnesses and attested before any official authorized by law to administer oaths. The personal manifestation shall be recorded in both applications for marriage license, and the affidavit, if one is executed instead, shall be attached to said applications. (61a)

Art. 15. Any contracting party between the age of twenty-one and twenty-five shall be obliged to ask their parents or guardian for advice upon the intended marriage. If they do not obtain such advice, or if it be unfavorable, the marriage license shall not be issued till after three months following the completion of the publication of the application therefor.A sworn statement by the contracting parties to the effect that such advice has been sought,together with the written advice given, if any, shall be attached to the application for marriage license. Should the parents or guardian refuse to give any advice, this fact shall be stated in the sworn statement.

[actob99 156]

To avoid confusion, I'm the petitioner...the USC. I called the NVC and got the MNL case number from them. I was going to set the interview about 2 or 3 weeks from now so my fiancee there in the PI has enough time to do the medical next week. Thanks for the advice on the medical. I'll pass this info on to my fiancee.

How long from your NOA2 date did you get your manila case number from the NVC?

[OneSoulMate 2]

Excellent post Hank, thank you. You didn't mention the part where you have to make a payment at a BPI bank before you can schedule the interview. You need to wait 24 hours after making the deposit to give it a chance to work through the system.

How long from your NOA2 date did you get your manila case number from the NVC?

Mine took about 5 weeks to get a case number. Approved on May 24th, NVC Received and got the case number on June 27th. Some people got lucky and got theirs in about 2 weeks. The NVC is now asking people to wait 20 BUSINESS days. It seems that the California Service Center is taking the longest to actually send out the Visa's once they are approved.

[actob99 156]

The NVC is now asking people to wait 20 BUSINESS days. It seems that the California Service Center is taking the longest to actually send out the Visa's once they are approved.

Thanks for the info, I'm hoping to get lucky Then.