Transfer of approved K1 petition from Abu Dhabi to Manila

[Jason and Coi 0]

Hi All VJ Members,

We're hoping that someone could help us on these and wondering if someone has experienced the same.

Our petition was approved last Aug. 13 but it was sent to Abu Dhabi instead of Manila. I used to work in Dubai and was still there when we started the paperwork. We used my Dubai address as my current address to be completely honest with my current location and put on US Embassy in Manila for my interview location. Unfortunately, our papers were still sent to Abu Dhabi. I already got my case number and interview date which was for Dec., but there's no way that I could do it there since I already quit my job and went back to the Philippines. We sent a formal request to Manila to be forwarded to Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi confirmed that they have sent the physical file last Sept. 25 by diplomatic pouch and will take about 2-4 weeks before Manila receive it. We're calling USEM twice a week, last Friday we called again but according to them they still don't have the file yet. My fiance and I are really getting nervous about the waiting time since our approved petition is only valid until Dec. 12, 2012 as per the validity date indicated on the NOA2.

Does anyone know if by any chance there's a way to track a diplomatic pouch and how long it really takes before Manila receives it?

If ever, what will happen if the petition reached its validity date and we don't have our file yet? Do we need to file another petition or we could extend the validity date in USEM?

Can I schedule my medical and interview even though Manila doesn’t have my file yet?

Thank you so much in advance

-Jason and Coi

[Hank_ 9,174]

The embassy can extend your validity date up to a year, they do extensions 4 months at a time. Tracking a diplomatic pouch is impossible for a civilian, the embassy has the ability to put a trace on it. I would keep in contact with USEM.

I think part of the issue is the petition may go back to NVC where it will get assigned an MNL # then forwarded to Manila, its possible its not sent directly from Abu Dhabi to Manila.

Embassy (Manila) Phone Number (and email)

(632) 301-2000, extension 5184 or 5185 (local number: USEM 301-2000 loc 5184/5185 call them around 3-4:30pm)

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

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

In order to serve our visa applicants more efficiently, we have created this new e-mail address: IVMNLAppointments@state.gov , for early appointment requests and visa scheduling issues. Please note, however, that early appointment requests will be approved on a case to case basis (i.e., aging out cases, or in cases involving personal or medical emergencies), and only if visa interview slots are available.

For other immigrant and K visa concerns, please send an e-mail to 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.

Edited October 29, 2012 by Hank_

[Jason and Coi 0]

Thank you for that Hank..

Manila informed us that from Abu Dhabi it will be sent back to Washington and from there to Manila. We called yesterday, still no luck though papers were not there yet. :(

[Hank_ 9,174]

Mail: Written questions about a case should be sent to:

National Visa Center

Attn: WC

31 Rochester Ave. Suite 200

Portsmouth, NH 03801-2915

Forms, documents and photographs should be sent to:

National Visa Center

Attn: CMR

31 Rochester Ave. Suite 100

Portsmouth, NH 03801-2914

For DOS:

This is where you will be able to find out if your case was received at the Embassy/Consulate. They will not see your case in their system until the NVC has logged it in and applied a case number to it.

1-202-663-1225

Press 1 for the Main Menu

Press 4 for Foreigners Applying To Come To the US

Press 2 for Immigrant Visas (yeah, yeah - we know they're not really)

Press 3 for Family or Employer Based Visas

Press 2 for Fiance(e) visas

Press 0 for an Operator

[Tahoma 2,292]

The U.S. Embassy Manila routinely extends the validity of a petition. However, it would be wise to email the U.S. Embassy Manila and request an extension. Email your request to: IVManilaReplies@state.gov

From the U.S. Embassy Manila website:

A K-1 petition is valid for four months from the date of its approval. But this may be revalidated by a consular officer provided that both parties are still legally free to marry.