Got An Early Interview Date!

[We Are The Art 46]

After an 8+ month wait for our application to make it through all of the processing at USCIS & NVC, The Manila Embassy finally received our case on October 9th (or so) We paid the visa fee yesterday (10/14/12) and then waited 4 hours to call the Embassy to make the interview appointment. Much to our surprise we got a November 9th appointment! We really expected it to be in December or at best late November...what a surprise! Now we are scrambling to get all of the final preperations done and time seems to be suddenly flying by!

I booked our flights today (Oh how I hope there aren't any delays which might screw up our flight schedule) and I will depart on November 5th to accompany her at the interview, I'm super excited (as is she) and pretty nervous as well! (Understatement!) Our departure flight from Manila is set for the 27th. so that should allow enough time for the visa to be issued barring any unforeseen complications. (we plan to pick it up in person at the Embassy instead of waiting for it to be delivered) Our POE will be Guam but I guess customs will be in Honolulu, one major concern I have is our return flight only has about a 1 1/2 hour timeframe between arrival and departure in Honolulu, I HOPE that gives us enough time to get through customs!

Anyway, just wanted to share our good fortune and we wish the same to everyone still awaiting their final phase of this long and difficult journey of love!

[Bumbero 130]

That's awesome! Good luck and have a safe trip!

[Pangga&Shine 7]

congrats we have same appointment sched. goodluck to us

[We Are The Art 46]

That's awesome! Good luck and have a safe trip!

Many Thanks!

[We Are The Art 46]

congrats we have same appointment sched. goodluck to us

Cool! I guess we'll see you there.

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Congrats!! :dance:

[We Are The Art 46]

Congrats!! :dance:

Thanks and best wishes to ya'll as well.

[kike732 6]

Congrats!!!! :thumbs: :dance:

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Thanks and best wishes to ya'll as well.

Aww thanks! We could always use extra wishes

[We Are The Art 46]

Congrats!!!! :thumbs: :dance:

Thaks!

[Leatherneck 693]

I know you're excited to get this portion of the process behind you, but you committed a cardinal sin by booking flights so early on.

There's still too much room for delays with the medical and interview yet to be completed. I hope it all works out for you.

[kambingaso 9]

That's so great! I hope you don't have any delays! May God bless you and the rest of us who are still beginning the process. It's makes me so happy and hopeful to read about others moving along toward their dreams!

Is Guam really the POE and not just a layover?

[We Are The Art 46]

I know you're excited to get this portion of the process behind you, but you committed a cardinal sin by booking flights so early on.

There's still too much room for delays with the medical and interview yet to be completed. I hope it all works out for you.

Thanks for the reply. Yes you're right, I know I'm running a risk and depending on any bureaucracy is always a mistake but with a lil' luck we may just pull it off. My fiancee' is healthy so the med exam will hopefully be SOP and I'm flying her to Manila (from Mindanao) next week well ahead of the interview so we will have a lil' flexibility there if needed. We had no RFE's during the USCIS/NVC stage and our paperwork is well prepared so hopefully that too won't be a prob. By booking the flights now I saved a considerable amount of cash because the "high season" starts soon and the prices increase drastically, money is a consideration afterall.

My greatest concern is the short layover in Honolulu, there may be where the real scheduling crunch hits...If so I'll just have to pony up for the flight change fee's...Ouch! I'll try to keep ya'll posted on how it all goes.

[We Are The Art 46]

That's so great! I hope you don't have any delays! May God bless you and the rest of us who are still beginning the process. It's makes me so happy and hopeful to read about others moving along toward their dreams!

Is Guam really the POE and not just a layover?

Hi there and thanks for the blessings! I think Guam will be the initial POE because we have to change planes there but it's my understanding they don't do customs intake there so it is done at our next stop in Honolulu. I'll try to keep ya'll updated if possible. Wish us luck with customs in Hawaii!

And best wishes on your journey, hang in there your day will come.

Thaks!

Oooopps......"Thanks"

[Hank_ 9,174]

You will be fine going through customs in Honolulu with 1.5 hrs. Remember you can re-check your bags to the left of the counters after you clear customs.