Medical and USEM questions

[Optimistical 0]

Hi,

We had our case sent for a checklist 30 days ago. No email or mail received from NVC so far. So I called them today and they said our case was approved and will go to USEM next. They said our interview is 9/21/15 6:15am at USEM.

I have a few questions. My wife works and will have a hard time getting off work to go to Manila. So we are trying to minimize her time away from work.

Q1: When I log into CEAC web site https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==it shows our case still at NVC. I guess this takes a few days to update?

Q2: I guess it is pointless to try to move our interview date sooner than 9/21 since by the time the packet reaches Manila it might already be September and we need time to get the medical set up and finished before the USEM interview anyway. Or should I try to re-sched the interview to a sooner date?

Q3: I heard Medical can potentially get done in 1 day instead of 2 if you go on a Wed, Thu, Fri to St Luke's and show up very early (6am?) in the morning. My wife would prefer this so she doesn't have to miss 2 days of work. Can anyone confirm and suggest the best day of the week? (no children will be going through this process since our daughter already has her U.S. passport)

Q4: Does our daughter need a CFO tag in her U.S. passport to leave RP with my wife?

Q5: How many days before USEM interview (9/21/15) should my wife go for her medical? 2 weeks before?

Q6: I guess my wife needs some print-out of our USEM interview confirmation to take to medical exam at St Luke's - how do we get this?

Thanks

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Hi,

We had our case sent for a checklist 30 days ago. No email or mail received from NVC so far. So I called them today and they said our case was approved and will go to USEM next. They said our interview is 9/21/15 6:15am at USEM.

I have a few questions. My wife works and will have a hard time getting off work to go to Manila. So we are trying to minimize her time away from work.

Q1: When I log into CEAC web site https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==it shows our case still at NVC. I guess this takes a few days to update?

Q2: I guess it is pointless to try to move our interview date sooner than 9/21 since by the time the packet reaches Manila it might already be September and we need time to get the medical set up and finished before the USEM interview anyway. Or should I try to re-sched the interview to a sooner date?

Q3: I heard Medical can potentially get done in 1 day instead of 2 if you go on a Wed, Thu, Fri to St Luke's and show up very early (6am?) in the morning. My wife would prefer this so she doesn't have to miss 2 days of work. Can anyone confirm and suggest the best day of the week? (no children will be going through this process since our daughter already has her U.S. passport)

Q4: Does our daughter need a CFO tag in her U.S. passport to leave RP with my wife?

Q5: How many days before USEM interview (9/21/15) should my wife go for her medical? 2 weeks before?

Q6: I guess my wife needs some print-out of our USEM interview confirmation to take to medical exam at St Luke's - how do we get this?

Thanks

1. It won't update till the actual packet is in USEM.

2. Leave the date as is because your going to drive yourself crazy otherwise you can change. Up to you.

3. It's a rare occasion that someone gets there Medical down in one day. Those that have, have been first in line and 6 am will not get first in line. 3 am will but she is alone in a neighborhood she is not familiar with. The neighborhood is not to bad but hey.....

4. Your daughter does not need a CFO sticker as she is a USC.

5. Five to seven business days is plenty.

6. To schedule your medical appointment you will need the interview confirmation page that you printed and the emailed confirmation page from NVC with your MNL#. If you do not have the NVC letter then take a screen shot from the CEAC page.

PREREGISTER at St. Luke's website, it saves time when you arrive.

[Optimistical 0]

1. It won't update till the actual packet is in USEM.

2. Leave the date as is because your going to drive yourself crazy otherwise you can change. Up to you.

3. It's a rare occasion that someone gets there Medical down in one day. Those that have, have been first in line and 6 am will not get first in line. 3 am will but she is alone in a neighborhood she is not familiar with. The neighborhood is not to bad but hey.....

4. Your daughter does not need a CFO sticker as she is a USC.

5. Five to seven business days is plenty.

6. To schedule your medical appointment you will need the interview confirmation page that you printed and the emailed confirmation page from NVC with your MNL#. If you do not have the NVC letter then take a screen shot from the CEAC page.

PREREGISTER at St. Luke's website, it saves time when you arrive.

Thanks for the answers.

We don't have an interview confirm page. When I go to CEAC I'm not sure how to see that? I just found out over the phone with NVC that we are approved....how do I get the interview confirm page? I guess the USPS letter that arrives will explain how to do that? Also when you say emailed confirm page from NVC - do you mean the confirm page they emailed me when we applied? I haven't got any email from them that we are approved yet. Only the rep on the phone told me this.

Thanks

[Optimistical 0]

We received the email from NVC and it says that it has to be printed out and brought to the USEM interview. Now we just need to know how to get the interview confirm page.

I just read your page Greenbaum and I don't see anywhere to find out about where to see an interview confirm page.

Also there is on your web site http://dennyeyberg.wix.com/filipino-am-visa#!manila-process-usem/c95x

some mention of paying a fee to Bancnet or BPI but it mentions K-1/K-2 visa. For a CR-1 spouse visa is this step required? From the gov web site it appears $230 is due? Is that correct?

http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/MNL%20-%20Manila.pdf

Also it looks like the fee for the medical at SLEC will be paid that day in cash? Is that right?

Since I already submitted income tax forms to NVC, my wife doesn't need to also bring those to USEM correct?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

We received the email from NVC and it says that it has to be printed out and brought to the USEM interview. Now we just need to know how to get the interview confirm page.

I just read your page Greenbaum and I don't see anywhere to find out about where to see an interview confirm page.

Also there is on your web site http://dennyeyberg.wix.com/filipino-am-visa#!manila-process-usem/c95x

some mention of paying a fee to Bancnet or BPI but it mentions K-1/K-2 visa. For a CR-1 spouse visa is this step required? From the gov web site it appears $230 is due? Is that correct?

http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/MNL%20-%20Manila.pdf

Also it looks like the fee for the medical at SLEC will be paid that day in cash? Is that right?

Since I already submitted income tax forms to NVC, my wife doesn't need to also bring those to USEM correct?

I'm really not up to speed on IR1/CR1 processing and my website only speaks to K1/K2 which is what I used for my wife two years ago. The only expert that I am aware that is still around, in fact he maybe traveling to the US with his wife as his process just finished. Send him a private mail and see if he is will to help you. His nick is "Brassballs". No jokes please. Apple21 and Darnell maybe able to help you too they are experts too and are always will to help.

Edited August 26, 2015 by Greenbaum

[Greenbaum 12,259]

We received the email from NVC and it says that it has to be printed out and brought to the USEM interview. Now we just need to know how to get the interview confirm page.

I just read your page Greenbaum and I don't see anywhere to find out about where to see an interview confirm page.

Also there is on your web site http://dennyeyberg.wix.com/filipino-am-visa#!manila-process-usem/c95x

some mention of paying a fee to Bancnet or BPI but it mentions K-1/K-2 visa. For a CR-1 spouse visa is this step required? From the gov web site it appears $230 is due? Is that correct?

http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/MNL%20-%20Manila.pdf

Also it looks like the fee for the medical at SLEC will be paid that day in cash? Is that right?

Since I already submitted income tax forms to NVC, my wife doesn't need to also bring those to USEM correct?

Here is the guide on VJ, it looks like it will answer most of your questions - here is the link http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

[Optimistical 0]

I'm really not up to speed on IR1/CR1 processing and my website only speaks to K1/K2 which is what I used for my wife two years ago. The only expert that I am aware that is still around, in fact he maybe traveling to the US with his wife as his process just finished. Send him a private mail and see if he is will to help you. His nick is "Brassballs". No jokes please. Apple21 and Darnell maybe able to help you too they are experts too and are always will to help.

Thanks, I got a msg that Darnell and Apple21 can't use the messaging system but I sent a note to Brassballs. I also read that and while interesting I don't think it answers my questions. It focuses more on how to get your packet assembled and submitted.

[j&ana 363]

We received the email from NVC and it says that it has to be printed out and brought to the USEM interview. Now we just need to know how to get the interview confirm page.

I just read your page Greenbaum and I don't see anywhere to find out about where to see an interview confirm page.

Also there is on your web site http://dennyeyberg.wix.com/filipino-am-visa#!manila-process-usem/c95x

some mention of paying a fee to Bancnet or BPI but it mentions K-1/K-2 visa. For a CR-1 spouse visa is this step required? From the gov web site it appears $230 is due? Is that correct?

http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/MNL%20-%20Manila.pdf

Also it looks like the fee for the medical at SLEC will be paid that day in cash? Is that right?

Since I already submitted income tax forms to NVC, my wife doesn't need to also bring those to USEM correct?

you should get an email from the nvc that say your interview has been schedule . No you do not pay another fee for interiew that is for k-1 visa. The only other fee you will paid is the 165 dollar fee for processing of green card.You will not be able to paid that untill after visa is issue it can be paid before you come to USA or up onto a year after you arrive to pay it. you will have to pay for the medical. Yes it is cash only you can pre registar for medical on the st lukes website it will save time.

You should bring copies of tax forms to interview. They did not ask to see my from my wife but who knows they could ask to see that from your wife .Always better to have something and not need it then not to have it

Edited August 26, 2015 by j&ana

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Thanks, I got a msg that Darnell and Apple21 can't use the messaging system but I sent a note to Brassballs. I also read that and while interesting I don't think it answers my questions. It focuses more on how to get your packet assembled and submitted.

J&Ana also can help as they are going through it now and they have a very good grip on the process.

you should get an email from the nvc that say your interview has been schedule . No you do not pay another fee for intervje that is for k-1 visa you will have to pay for the medical. Yes it is cash only you can pte registar for medical on the st lukes website it will save time.

You should bring copies of tax forms to interview. They did not ask to see them crom my wife but who knows they could ask to see that from you.Always better to have something and not need it then not to have it

Thanks guys for pitching in.

[j&ana 363]

J&Ana also can help as they are going through it now and they have a very good grip on the process.

Thanks guys for pitching in.

You are welcome .Also do nkt stress much about the interview it was fairy simple and easy.They only ask my wife 3 question about us. I sent my wife my copies of tax income and more chat logs but all they wanted to see was pictures of us . My wife had a lot of photos and made a small photo album that the interviewer thought was nice

Edited August 26, 2015 by j&ana

[Optimistical 0]

Thanks guys. In case anyone else is reading this thread, here is the list of things my wife is taking to the medical interview.

1) 2 printouts of confirm from SLEC 2) 4 2x2 pics 3) passport 4) copy of passport 5) printout of email sent by NVC

I'll also try to post on this thread the list of things we'll be taking to USEM when I have that list ready.

Also in case anyone else reads this for advice, we talked to a nice lady who recently did the medical and she suggested going on Wed-Thu as less busy days so that is what we are doing - going next Tue night and showing up at 5am Wed morning at SLEC.

We made a mistake when we pre-registered for SLEC and put IR-1 visa type but we are CR-1 (less than 2 years marriage) so hopefully we can change that. Anyone else beware because it's easy to miss the right visa type in the long list of types that they offer on the form.

[Brassballs 47]

Thanks for the answers.

We don't have an interview confirm page. When I go to CEAC I'm not sure how to see that? I just found out over the phone with NVC that we are approved....how do I get the interview confirm page? I guess the USPS letter that arrives will explain how to do that? Also when you say emailed confirm page from NVC - do you mean the confirm page they emailed me when we applied? I haven't got any email from them that we are approved yet. Only the rep on the phone told me this.

Thanks

The USEM will send the interview confirmation date and time to the email address you should have already provided the uscis /nvc. Don't count on usps. Most correspondence will be via email.

[Brassballs 47]

We received the email from NVC and it says that it has to be printed out and brought to the USEM interview. Now we just need to know how to get the interview confirm page.

I just read your page Greenbaum and I don't see anywhere to find out about where to see an interview confirm page.

Also there is on your web site http://dennyeyberg.wix.com/filipino-am-visa#!manila-process-usem/c95x

some mention of paying a fee to Bancnet or BPI but it mentions K-1/K-2 visa. For a CR-1 spouse visa is this step required? From the gov web site it appears $230 is due? Is that correct?

http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/MNL%20-%20Manila.pdf

Also it looks like the fee for the medical at SLEC will be paid that day in cash? Is that right?

Since I already submitted income tax forms to NVC, my wife doesn't need to also bring those to USEM correct?

The email they sent you is the confirmation page that you need to print.

You paid the IV fee to the NVC. What you are reading is for K1 visas and has no bearing on a CR1 /Cr2 visa.

You need to pay for the medical at slec in pisos a little less than P12000

Even though you already sent tax forms to nvc, instructions say to have current year copy and supporting w-2's. They didn't ask my wife for hers but it is another T that you need to cross just in case.

Also another caveat that bit us and caused another weeks delay is she could not produce a cemar from the NSO (or whatever they call themselves now). Easy to get and another MUST have document that is not clearly defined in any instructions.

Feel free to ask any additional questions

[Brassballs 47]

Here is the guide on VJ, it looks like it will answer most of your questions - here is the link http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

Not to be critical in any way due to the tremendous amount of support you give to BM's but it is really not a good idea to direct CR1 visas to your K1 guide. The process is very different (I'm working on a revision) and when a CR1 reads and tries to follow a K1 guide they will get even more confused.

[Brassballs 47]

you should get an email from the nvc that say your interview has been schedule . No you do not pay another fee for interiew that is for k-1 visa. The only other fee you will paid is the 165 dollar fee for processing of green card.You will not be able to paid that untill after visa is issue it can be paid before you come to USA or up onto a year after you arrive to pay it. you will have to pay for the medical. Yes it is cash only you can pre registar for medical on the st lukes website it will save time.

You should bring copies of tax forms to interview. They did not ask to see my from my wife but who knows they could ask to see that from your wife .Always better to have something and not need it then not to have it

You can prepay the $165 at the USCIS 'ELIS' website after you have the 'A' from your wife's visa. Google is your friend to find the exact address.

Also for the mentally challenged, myself included, you will probably have to insert a 'ZERO' between the A and her number. I didn't for 2 or 3 days and of course blamed the asawa for giving me the wrong #. She was reading it through all the plastic wrapping to her credit because she didn't want to open the wrong pouch.