St Lukes Strategy

[JaniceDave 0]

My fiancee is from Mindanao -- Davao. I'm trying to figure the best strategy for the upcoming St Lukes Medical

1) Fly her there -- perform processing -- return to Davao and wait for Embassy appointment a few weeks later

2) Fly her to Manila 7-10 days before embassy appointment and do processing then -- just prior to interview

Cost wise its probably a wash -- extra air fare vs hotel stay

She has no relatives in Manila

Any one have any input/suggestions/tips?

Was option 2 too stressful?

Since I cannot be part of the St Lukes she can do that on her own and depending on the

results I could fly immediately her learning her result

Your reply is gretly appreciated

[notusinganymore 31]

My fiancee is from Mindanao -- Davao. I'm trying to figure the best strategy for the upcoming St Lukes Medical

1) Fly her there -- perform processing -- return to Davao and wait for Embassy appointment a few weeks later

2) Fly her to Manila 7-10 days before embassy appointment and do processing then -- just prior to interview

Cost wise its probably a wash -- extra air fare vs hotel stay

She has no relatives in Manila

Any one have any input/suggestions/tips?

Was option 2 too stressful?

Since I cannot be part of the St Lukes she can do that on her own and depending on the

results I could fly immediately her learning her result

Your reply is gretly appreciated

If she wants to be comfortable with her usual routine then option 1.

If she can live differently for 7-10 days like looking for a cheap apartment to rent and staying there for the duration of the whole process then option 2 is better.

The difference would be like a couple of hundreds which is still big when in the Philippines but I would say that I'd just go home. That way I won't worry about my food, my safety, and comfort. Other than that both of you have more time to prepare for the interview since it will be after a few weeks.

[Matt & Freche 2]

when my Fiancee went thru the same 2 months back- she basically did her medical about 1 month before the embassy review. She stayed in casa Bocobo which is close to the embassy & st lukes also. Thats a really great hotel & the single room was about 35-38 usd & was nice room.

I did an online booking and she stayed 2 nites & if u have ur lady go there =likely ask for a reduced rate if she stays for 5-on days to accomplish all during!! If u also will book her flights on pal a/l on a monday ( set up -online notices from them) u can get a really cheap flights to mnl & back = depends on times flown too. mondays are pal's discount days . saves us all that way too !!

[chazbow 0]

I was wondering the same, my fiancee is from Iligan in Mindanao. and we are leaning towards making 2 trips to Manila.

Now I need to figure out what to do about the CFO seminar and when to fit that in. Will they give you the sticker from CFO prior to having your visa? If not will they mail it to you? I do not want to have to do a third trip to Manila just to get the CFO sticker.

[geff44 30]

I was wondering the same, my fiancee is from Iligan in Mindanao. and we are leaning towards making 2 trips to Manila.

Now I need to figure out what to do about the CFO seminar and when to fit that in. Will they give you the sticker from CFO prior to having your visa? If not will they mail it to you? I do not want to have to do a third trip to Manila just to get the CFO sticker.

From what I have read in this forum the sticker is given only after she receives the visa.

My fiancee is from Davao City too . She has no relatives in the Metro Manila so I have decided to book her a hotel close to St Lukes. I have also requested her older sister to accompany her. Also to save time, she will do the CFO seminar after her physical. I don't want her to be all alone in Manila especially for someone from the province. After she has done both things, she will go back home to Davao and wait for her interview to fly back.

If everything goes well I will be flying and meeting her in Manila for her interview .

[n and m 10]

Hello there, Im from Mindanao too but it so happen that during my K-1 process I worked and lived in Manila already..However I've met friends during medical examinations at St. Lukes who were coming from Mindanao too.. They only make two (2) trips including their departure from PHil to US...To save money, trips and time, they scheduled their interview at least a week after their medical exams so that they will no longer make several or different trips each for medical, interview and CFO and she just stayed in a hotel walking distance from ST. Lukes and USEM...There are many cheaper hotels in the location..

First trip was for her medical, interview and CFO seminar...Her medical at ST Lukes was Dec. 17 and her interview at USEM was Dec 27.,, (it took her 10 days because of the holidays)..After she finished her medical she went to CFO for the seminar.. and yes the CFO sticker will be only be given after you get your visa in your passport.. She went home right after the interview...USEM usually keep passport when interview go smoothly, and you have nothing to do but to wait for your VISA to be delivered to your chosen address via 2GO. She scheduled her trip to USA as soon as she got her VISA..

Second trip...went back to CFO ( not to attend seminar anymore) to get the sticker ( with her passport) and flew to USA the following day.... Other applicants scheduled their CFO a day after their flight to USA but they're already rushing since there are still many preparations to make, but still its possible.. Hope this help.

[perksandgrumps 3]

I met someone at the embassy during my visa interview who is from Mindanao and she did option 1. Scheduling the visa interview a month away from the medical exam is fine, it'll give you some time in case something comes up in the medical results. I scheduled the appointment like 2 weeks after the medical. I remember being really nervous that something might show up on my x-ray. Thank god that wasn't the case.

I don't recommend doing the CFO a day before flying to the US. At least a week before is fine.

[iLoveYouForever 4]

Im from mindanao... I plan to do the medical on 14-15th and interview on 24th. We will do option 2 . Like after medical, i will do CFO class on 16, get exit permit for our son on 17th. Then prepare for nterview...that save us money for airline ticket going back and forth. We will stay in hotel for one week then move to my aunts until visa is issued,God willing.

[TonetSparrow 0]

Sweeheart, congratulations on passing medical and yes, finally the interview :-). Your keen sense to complete the ds-160 form made the interview process so much easier. Our wait is over now, we will finally be together after many many months of waiting during this excruciating process. Sometimes i think they make petitioners wait so long to be sure the relationships are true and honest. We have shared many happy moments and even survived many stressful moments during this wait. I am most fortunate to fall in love with a woman that is true, kind, and loving as you. We have been by each others side side (even though we are continents apart) the whole time, even when we didn't always agree. The most difficult is knowing the stress you had to go through, it is not easy to be there....not knowing....always wondering if the end of this wait will ever come. Well now our wait is over. I am so proud of you for being so strong. It is now my time to let you rest from this stress and bring you comfort. To allow you to relax and finally enjoy some peaceful time. I love you sweetheart forever. God has given me 3 wonderful gifts....You and our two children. I will see you very very soon. <3 <3