October 2012 K1 filers

[madison925 2]

Thanks madison925. Yes...your suggestion is a good one...and I plan to take your advice. I need to have her in Manila ready to have the medical exam the morning she is finished with her period. We may be able to shave a day off of our timetable...giving her 4 business days before the interview. It's the cost of an additional night in Manila...but a small price to pay for peace of mind in all of this.

I hope it works perfectly fine. I know an Inn that is like 5 min walk to the embassy and slec. It's called Zenith tourist Inn, their rooms are like php1,300/night that is about $49 and they carer dinner for 50 pesos and that's like $1. I emailed them and got some info. You may email them to reserve and get some infor or google them. Here's the email zenith-inn@hotmail.com

[Dee&Tino 1]

Madison925 I'm waiting for them to finally send your NOA2 so you won't feel left out. I really do wish you all the best and I'm hoping that you won't have to wait much longer. As Winelight said I also didn't receive RFE so hard to say how long they take to respond to that. I thought they would've responded already though. In any case they will respond soon.

So nice to see people helping each other out... (@ you telling Winelight about that place that he could check out). :-)

Edited June 21, 2013 by Dee&Tino

[Dee&Tino 1]

My fiancee is scheduled for her Embassy interview July 1st in Manila. My concern is that they tell you to complete the medical exam a week before the interview. Because she is on her monthly period now...she will only be able to begin her medical exam 3 days before her interview (they cannot complete the medical until her period is finished). I don't suspect this will be a problem...but if someone has info on this...let me know.

I will let everyone know what happens.

Congrats on the interview being scheduled! July 1st is right around the corner so that's awesome. Good luck to your fiancée on July 1st. As far her medical I think she'll be fine doing it 3 or 4 days before the interview. Is the location for medical close to the embassy? If so then I imagine it won't take long for the embassy to receive the results.

As for me, I emailed the embassy completed DS-260 and they emailed me back saying they received it and necessary actions taken but they did not mention scheduling my fiancé's interview date. I wasn't happy with how they responded but I guess I'll just of to wait. My fiancé got his police certificate already and ordered the non-impediment certificate/letter today. He is ready for the interview so I wish they would just give us a date already. I read on the Jamaica portal that interviews are being scheduled 60-90 days from NOA2 so that's why I tried to get them to schedule the appointment by email. Anyway, that's my update. I hope that we won't have to wait that long for interview.

[madison925 2]

Madison925 I'm waiting for them to finally send your NOA2 so you won't feel left out. I really do wish you all the best and I'm hoping that you won't have to wait much longer. As Winelight said I also didn't receive RFE so hard to say how long they take to respond to that. I thought they would've responded already though. In any case they will respond soon.

So nice to see people helping each other out... (@ you telling Winelight about that place that he could check out). :-)

I know!!! They said on the email that they are actively processing it. I will surely let you guys know. And please keep updating us with you case too. I hope we're all going to be successful in this because we waited so long and persevered. Edited June 21, 2013 by madison925

[pagong 7]

My fiancee is scheduled for her Embassy interview July 1st in Manila. My concern is that they tell you to complete the medical exam a week before the interview. Because she is on her monthly period now...she will only be able to begin her medical exam 3 days before her interview (they cannot complete the medical until her period is finished). I don't suspect this will be a problem...but if someone has info on this...let me know.

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I will let everyone know what happens.

They're asking the first day of the last period in every step of the medical in st Luke's. but if she's done I really can't see the problem.

And about them submitting the result to the embassy it's stated in the website that give them atleast 1 week to forward the result. Before, slec is able to submit the result in 2 days. But There are some post in here that during their interview there's no submitted medical result in the embassy. It may vary (maybe depending on their mood )

Give at try. I believe it's fine. Good luck!

[Dee&Tino 1]

I know!!! They said on the email that they are actively processing it. I will surely let you guys know. And please keep updating us with you case too. I hope we're all going to be successful in this because we waited so long and persevered.

Yes I'm believing that we will all be successful. I was told that they are actively processing my case before it got approved so hopefully that means you're almost there.

[madison925 2]

Yes I'm believing that we will all be successful. I was told that they are actively processing my case before it got approved so hopefully that means you're almost there.

how many days after that email you got your noa2?

[Dee&Tino 1]

I received the message below on 05/17/2013.

Based on your request we researched the status of this case. We are actively processing this case. If you do not receive a decision or other notice of action from us within 60 days of this letter, please contact customer service at the number provided below.

On 06/03/2013 I received NOA2.

[winelight 0]

i guess the best thing she can do is as soon as she's done with her period she can do it, just to be sure that she has a good time allowance. Or if she really do 3 days before the interview, make sure to let SLEC know that her interview is near. Keep us updated. Nice to hear your progress.

Thanks madison925.

An experienced VJer told me that this situation happens a lot and SLEC will work with you to get the medical results to the Embassy on time...even to the point of handing you the medical file. I've also heard that they will do the interview and leave the visa decision as OPEN "pending medical results". So...as long as the medical is done...it's ok...even if the medical results arrive after the Embassy interview.

[winelight 0]

Congrats on the interview being scheduled! July 1st is right around the corner so that's awesome. Good luck to your fiancée on July 1st. As far her medical I think she'll be fine doing it 3 or 4 days before the interview. Is the location for medical close to the embassy? If so then I imagine it won't take long for the embassy to receive the results.

As for me, I emailed the embassy completed DS-260 and they emailed me back saying they received it and necessary actions taken but they did not mention scheduling my fiancé's interview date. I wasn't happy with how they responded but I guess I'll just of to wait. My fiancé got his police certificate already and ordered the non-impediment certificate/letter today. He is ready for the interview so I wish they would just give us a date already. I read on the Jamaica portal that interviews are being scheduled 60-90 days from NOA2 so that's why I tried to get them to schedule the appointment by email. Anyway, that's my update. I hope that we won't have to wait that long for interview.

Yep...the medical is a 10-12 minute walk from the Embassy.

I know the process varies by country...but it is very different from the Philippines. I did not even have to complete a form to schedule the interview online. My NOA2 is May28...and my initial interview date was July 29 (~9 weeks after NOA2...similar to Jamaica). It appears that with Manila...openings before your scheduled date can pop-up (possibly due to cancellations and people rescheduling???). I kept an eye on these unexpected early openings...and jumped on the first one I found. With a July 1st interview date...my NOA2-to-interview date is just under 5 weeks.

I just pray it all goes smoothly. We already hit a snag on the required CFO counseling session (be glad Jamaica does not have this!!!). A new counseling session is rescheduled to Monday. It is a real hassle dealing with these folks. They can ask the color of your underwear...and it's legal. Be prepared to answer to stuff that is not and cannot possibly be related to the purpose of the counseling session (such as the race of my ex's). A post under a different thread calls the CFO folks "nitwits". He was wrong as calling them "nitwits" is being far too kind :-)

[winelight 0]

They're asking the first day of the last period in every step of the medical in st Luke's. but if she's done I really can't see the problem.

And about them submitting the result to the embassy it's stated in the website that give them atleast 1 week to forward the result. Before, slec is able to submit the result in 2 days. But There are some post in here that during their interview there's no submitted medical result in the embassy. It may vary (maybe depending on their mood )

Give at try. I believe it's fine. Good luck!

Thanks Pagong.

I have heard they will still do the interview...and make the results pending on receipt of the SLEC medical.

When is your interview? Maybe my fiancée will bump into you at the Embassy gate - LOL :-).

[Dee&Tino 1]

Yep...the medical is a 10-12 minute walk from the Embassy.

I know the process varies by country...but it is very different from the Philippines. I did not even have to complete a form to schedule the interview online. My NOA2 is May28...and my initial interview date was July 29 (~9 weeks after NOA2...similar to Jamaica). It appears that with Manila...openings before your scheduled date can pop-up (possibly due to cancellations and people rescheduling???). I kept an eye on these unexpected early openings...and jumped on the first one I found. With a July 1st interview date...my NOA2-to-interview date is just under 5 weeks.

I just pray it all goes smoothly. We already hit a snag on the required CFO counseling session (be glad Jamaica does not have this!!!). A new counseling session is rescheduled to Monday. It is a real hassle dealing with these folks. They can ask the color of your underwear...and it's legal. Be prepared to answer to stuff that is not and cannot possibly be related to the purpose of the counseling session (such as the race of my ex's). A post under a different thread calls the CFO folks "nitwits". He was wrong as calling them "nitwits" is being far too kind :-)

I didn't know of a CFO counseling session until you said that but yes I am very happy that I don't need to do it. I'm surprised that you were able to find an opening earlier than your initial interview date since I saw on a website that Manila is one of the top places for most k1 petitions. I am happy for you though and just hope to be able to share when my fiancé's interview will be soon.

Please tell me how you were able to check if an earlier interview date was available. I have no idea what interview date my fiancé may receive...

I'm sure everything will go smoothly for you now inspite of what happened with the CFO counseling session that was previously scheduled. You are smart so no worries. As for the beyond "nitwits" you will forget them in no time. As long as you and your fiancée keep in mind why you guys are going through all this mess during the session with them things will go well. I'm positive that they will not deny you if the medical is not in on the interview date. I believe they just put you in administrative processing(hope this is the right term) until it's received. Good luck with everything, you are almost there :-).

[winelight 0]

Dee&Tino,

Thanks for sharing my journey with me. It's really great to have friends on this site. I have to admit that the journey would be far worse without people like yourself and several other VJ'ers (can't start naming names here as I'm sure to forget someone - LOL).

As for Manila scheduling, let me be clear. There IS a form to complete online for online interview scheduling....but it is NOT one of the forms required by the Embassy (DS-156, DS-156K, DS-157, DS-230, etc.). It's really an online profile...and they also ask where you want to have the approved visa delivered.

So...to answer your scheduling question directly:

They seem to often have interview date availability anywhere from a few days to a few weeks from the current date - and then other dates a couple months out. When I first scheduled, there is no way I could have had my fiancée ready in 3 days!!!...the next available date was 1-1/2 months later (July 29). I then guessed that the early dates are possibly related to interview cancellations and rescheduling. So...I just kept checked the appointment site provided by the Manila Embassy for updated interview availability. But searching for availability is not straightforward after you already have a confirmed interview date. You first have to "pretend" to Cancel your current reservation. Before you confirm the cancellation, they show you the next available interview date. It's a "no-brainer" to cancel and then reschedule for the earlier date (although I think you have to do all of this very quickly as someone else could possibly grab the new date between the time you cancel and attempt to reschedule). So...if the new date is the same...or beyond your current date...then just "cancel" your cancellation attempt...and you'll be back to your original interview date.

Sounds confusing...but it's simply trial and error to keep looking for an earlier date. I suspect earlier dates are common for the Manila Embassy as they do process a lot of visa applications - making cancellations/reschedules common. I believe persistence is likely to pay off here - as it did in my case. I saved 4 weeks of waiting!

So...maybe Jamaica does not use such a system...but I provide details here for others in the Philippines (including madison925) that may be able to benefit from this information.

It may also be that other countries use the same, or a similar, online appointment system.

[Dee&Tino 1]

Thank you for explaining Winelight. I'm guessing that Jamaica doesn't have that system as the interviews are scheduled by the embassy and not by the petitioner or beneficiary. I choose to discuss things here with you and a few others because I actually don't like the Jamaica country portal. For some reason I just never got around to posting anything there but I read a lot. I think maybe the topics change too frequently for me or something... can't really keep up without spending too much time on the forum.

I agree with you a 100% and I'm glad that you feel this way,

"Thanks for sharing my journey with me. It's really great to have friends on this site. I have to admit that the journey would be far worse without people like yourself and several other VJ'ers (can't start naming names here as I'm sure to forget someone - LOL). because I feel the same way/"

I feel the same way. I sure appreciate the support so yeah you are welcome and thank you!

Edited June 21, 2013 by Dee&Tino

[pagong 7]

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Thanks Pagong.

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I have heard they will still do the interview...and make the results pending on receipt of the SLEC medical.

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When is your interview? Maybe my fiancée will bump into you at the Embassy gate - LOL :-).

Medical will be June 24. I'm so nervous and excited in one. Good luck to your journey. Keep us updated.