US Consulate Manila and worked in Singapore

[Don & Marivic 1]

My fiance is Filipino living in Manila, but she recently worked in Singapore for about one and a half years. I received a letter about 3 weeks ago from the NVS stating that my petition has been sent to the US embassy in Manila. I've called the embassy and apparently there is no one to speak with to verify that they have received it, that it's being processed or anything. There also doesn't seem to be a website that I can go to to verify this either All I was given was an email address to submit my inquiry with a week or more waiting time.

A US government website indicates that we can get clearance papers from Singapore with a special note about non citizens of Singapore. The Singapore police website states it's for citizens only and needs to paid from a Singapore bank. I read some where else that we will need some special paper that the US embassy should be sending my fiance that we will send to Singapore to get documentation that she was not a criminal there.

Even with the paper I'm at a loss of how I can pay with a Singapore bank. >< Anyway ... frustrated that we are in the dark with no realistic way of finding out what is going on if anything. For all we know they mailed it and it never made it to it's proper destination ><

If she hadn't worked in Singapore then we could have scheduled an appointment on line already because we only need a couple more things. It's this Singapore clearance issue that is holding us up and waiting to get this paper from the US embassy in Manila. I've already that they don't send packets and papers anymore so ... I'm not sure what is going on.

Any one have any advise, answers or experience with this?

Thank you in advance.

[js030802 6]

with regards to your concern, she definitely needs to have that paper from the US embassy in Manila to give to the police department in Singapore to get the police certificate she needs. if i'm not mistaken, i believe the reason why the Singapore police department needs the paper from the embassy it's because they are the ones who will mail the police certificate directly to the US embassy in Manila. i would suggest to keep trying to get in touch with the embassy in Manila so you can be sure they got her forwarded petition from NVC and that the letter she needs to procure from the police department in Singapore is actually mailed to her address in the Philippines.

[Al422 221]

We were in the same situation as you and got the Singapore COC. Here is how we did it:

1. Get the letter from USEM requesting the SIngapore COC. It is a form letter and USEM issues it all the time. You send email to the usual IVManilareplies or something like that and ask for it. It takes 30 days but they will send it.

2. Then send it along with the SIngapore forms (from Singapore police web site) and $55 Singapore dollars (HSBC will issue a draft in Singapore dollars) and fingerprints and 2 copies of your passport pic. Do not send foreign currency. Singagpore dollars only.

3. It took us 50 days from the date of mailing to get the SIngapore COC. They will mail it to the address you give them on their form.

Don't believe the 10 days. It really took 50. And trying to get them to answer the phone, good luck. But this is what we did and it worked. 80 days in total waiting time.

[kitthekat 1,317]

We were in the same situation as you and got the Singapore COC. Here is how we did it:

1. Get the letter from USEM requesting the SIngapore COC. It is a form letter and USEM issues it all the time. You send email to the usual IVManilareplies or something like that and ask for it. It takes 30 days but they will send it.

2. Then send it along with the SIngapore forms (from Singapore police web site) and $55 Singapore dollars (HSBC will issue a draft in Singapore dollars) and fingerprints and 2 copies of your passport pic. Do not send foreign currency. Singagpore dollars only.

3. It took us 50 days from the date of mailing to get the SIngapore COC. They will mail it to the address you give them on their form.

Don't believe the 10 days. It really took 50. And trying to get them to answer the phone, good luck. But this is what we did and it worked. 80 days in total waiting time.

just to add on to this:

1. you don't need the letter from USEM, you can simply print out the instructions for K1 processing that state a police certificate is required. that will cut down your wait time immensely.

Checklist is linked in this post: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/481865-police-clearance-hong-kong-and-singapore/?p=6835207

My original post is here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/481865-police-clearance-hong-kong-and-singapore/?p=6859954

2. singapore police have recommended getting the bank draft from BPI as it partners with DBS in singapore. they are slightly cheaper than HSBC, but HSBC will also work.

3. phone-wise, i've never had any problems getting them to answer through this number (not listed on their website): +65 6557 3985. call before 12 noon singapore time on working days (mon-fri, exl. public holidays).

[kitthekat 1,317]

another add-on: along with the documents listed on their website, you'll also need to provide some kind of proof of her time in singapore, e.g. copy of her expired work permit, income tax bills, passport stamps showing entry to and exit from singapore, etc.

and the fee now is S$60 including postage, not S$55, wef 1 April 2014.

[Don & Marivic 1]

Ouch ... this is very disheartening; how long this one thing takes It seems this one thing will take one month if we are lucky, but most likely two or more If I had know we would have started on this the moment I initially sent my petition. We almost have everything else we need for the interview >< Ack! Regardless; I appreciate the information. Thank you.

[Don & Marivic 1]

It seems to me I also recall something about there being a time limit on the petition. If you do not get the visa within a certain time frame.

[Al422 221]

We went over that by two months. No consequence.