September 2015 Filers

[TheMusicSpeaks 1]

Hi all,

My fiancé and I are in the last process on submitting the 160 form. Somehow the "previous work experience and education" are hidden. We have tried 4 times putting in the information and it never shows up. We have saved it, we have clicked next. Everything but never shows up in the review section and once we go back to the page it's all gone. Has anyone encounter the same problem? Can anyone advise on this matter. Thank you!

[Erick and Marj 11]

Very confused, upset and angry!!! The embassy turned her away for her interview saying they did not have her petition. Our case status said ready as of Nov 27th and today says ready as of Dec 4th. If it is ready, how do they not have her petition in their system yet?? I called NVC and the embassy and they were of no help. All they say is to wait. Wait for a letter from the embassy that everyone who processes through the Philippines says never comes. How in the hell are we supposed to know when she can interview if "Ready" means NOTHING!!!!

It's very strange that there are so many letters we are told that we shouldn't wait for and we will never receive. I have received every single letter and notification I could get, including the letter from the NVC. My fiancee also received a letter from the Manila Embassy giving her some information and instructions for next steps.

[Erick and Marj 11]

That's ok but, really, your entire paycheck stubs. Can I just say something and please, I am only trying to help. The CO has 5 min to make a decision on your case therefore by having your employment letter stating your work history with the company including your salary plus you submitting your IRS 1040, W2's and three current paystubs is more than enough to prove your employment. Trust me, they will have everything they will need to approve you. Please reconsider sending that much paperwork as I can guarantee they are not going to look at it, they will only look at what their requirements are.

Follow the Embassy Letter and you will be approved. That's why we say, get the Embassy Letter for the requirements.

I don't disagree with you. My employer doesn't directly handle this type of paperwork so it isn't like I can just tell them to print out a piece of paper on the office printer. We have to go through their payroll center in another state and they print out and mail to us whatever documentation they provide as standard. The person I spoke to said this is how their employment and income verification form for immigration purposes prints out so they are sending me all the pages. I will send what I have, but my fiancee does not have to give them the whole packet. If the first page or two covers that information they need then that's fine. I just don't know what it will look like until it arrives in the mail. I wanted to be sure that the stamp they use on the document will suffice because I asked for letterhead and the lady on the other end said their official stamp should be adequate.

Here's another question. My fiancee lives in Cebu but is from Leyte. Must she return to Leyte in order to get her CENOMAR or can she get it in Cebu? She wasn't sure if she could and was thinking she would have to travel home to get it.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

I don't disagree with you. My employer doesn't directly handle this type of paperwork so it isn't like I can just tell them to print out a piece of paper on the office printer. We have to go through their payroll center in another state and they print out and mail to us whatever documentation they provide as standard. The person I spoke to said this is how their employment and income verification form for immigration purposes prints out so they are sending me all the pages. I will send what I have, but my fiancee does not have to give them the whole packet. If the first page or two covers that information they need then that's fine. I just don't know what it will look like until it arrives in the mail. I wanted to be sure that the stamp they use on the document will suffice because I asked for letterhead and the lady on the other end said their official stamp should be adequate.

Here's another question. My fiancee lives in Cebu but is from Leyte. Must she return to Leyte in order to get her CENOMAR or can she get it in Cebu? She wasn't sure if she could and was thinking she would have to travel home to get it.

She can get the CENOMAR in Cebu. If they have an official stamp that's good. Follow your plan looks like you got this one.

[DaNnE 17]

The interview could not proceed because they did not have his case from NVC. Somewhere there was a misconnect and the data and release of the information that their case was ready was far ahead of actuality.

As far as SLEC is concerned was that Chuck/Rosa had made the visa interview appt. which to SLEC is all they need to know to move forward. Rosa showed the necessary paperwork so they allowed for the completion of the medical.

Just a BIG government snafu that C/R had to suffer unfortunately. Slight set back, but they are regrouping and moving forward.

Your quote from the Embassy Letter is so that you don't do it so far out that it affects the visa validity date. You see, and you may know this already so forgive me if I say this, the validity of the visa is only for six months. That date is tied to the medical. So if you do the medical 3 months before and it takes another month to do the interview and they are slow in issuing the passport with the visa you may have only weeks to be on US soil before expiration.

That's why it is so important that you don't schedule too far before the Embassy interview.

Greenbaum, just wanted to know your opinion if you think it has something to do with the amount of time from when the USEM receives their files up to their appointment schedule?

Chuck was able to track the DHL and it said it was delivered by 30th in which it is only 4 days away from their interview date. Although, USEM claims that they haven't received the files yet. I believed it is already there but stuck somewhere on a table where new files have arrived and hasn't been touched that's why she was told that it wasn't on their system yet..

C/R's case was a bit concerning to me cause I'll be coming from Mindanao. Do you think it's safe to say that waiting for your case status to say "READY" is the safest way to set an appointment schedule? C/R's case was stuck at NVC for 3 weeks, and they already have their case number by Nov. 5th so they go ahead schedule their medical and interview. Although it's case to case basis, some was able to set their schedule but the next day their case status change to "In Transit"..

Thank you for your time

[Kaykee7789 5]

I don't disagree with you. My employer doesn't directly handle this type of paperwork so it isn't like I can just tell them to print out a piece of paper on the office printer. We have to go through their payroll center in another state and they print out and mail to us whatever documentation they provide as standard. The person I spoke to said this is how their employment and income verification form for immigration purposes prints out so they are sending me all the pages. I will send what I have, but my fiancee does not have to give them the whole packet. If the first page or two covers that information they need then that's fine. I just don't know what it will look like until it arrives in the mail. I wanted to be sure that the stamp they use on the document will suffice because I asked for letterhead and the lady on the other end said their official stamp should be adequate.

Here's another question. My fiancee lives in Cebu but is from Leyte. Must she return to Leyte in order to get her CENOMAR or can she get it in Cebu? She wasn't sure if she could and was thinking she would have to travel home to get it.

She can get in Cebu. Or she can do it online. She'll be able to get in 3 days without any hassle. That's how I got mine.

[Analisa 7]

Man, if things are ever going smoothly I'm gonna assume something is wrong. We had everything planned perfectly for the interview. My brother had bought me a flight so I could go with my fiancé but then he got mad at me and cancelled it!! I can't believe him. He was also going to be my co-sponsor but I don't think that's happening anymore either. So now I have 6 weeks to figure this out. Does anyone know if they base your income off gross or net? I should be fine if it's gross but wanted a co-sponsor since I'm just barely over the poverty line and have only had my job for 9 months. And my savings isn't all that great after paying these fees and purchasing flights, hotel, etc.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

DaNnE, on 05 Dec 2015 - 10:13 PM, said:

Greenbaum, just wanted to know your opinion if you think it has something to do with the amount of time from when the USEM receives their files up to their appointment schedule?

Chuck was able to track the DHL and it said it was delivered by 30th in which it is only 4 days away from their interview date. Although, USEM claims that they haven't received the files yet. I believed it is already there but stuck somewhere on a table where new files have arrived and hasn't been touched that's why she was told that it wasn't on their system yet..

C/R's case was a bit concerning to me cause I'll be coming from Mindanao. Do you think it's safe to say that waiting for your case status to say "READY" is the safest way to set an appointment schedule? C/R's case was stuck at NVC for 3 weeks, and they already have their case number by Nov. 5th so they go ahead schedule their medical and interview. Although it's case to case basis, some was able to set their schedule but the next day their case status change to "In Transit"..

Thank you for your time

I have never heard of it taking that long or that once USEM received it that it wasn't in the system within two or three days. This was unfortunately situation for C/R and that's how I view it. Normally by the time you schedule and complete the medical the file has reached the Embassy and your interview is ready.

I think you will be find. If you want a little more security, then follow the package through DHL and then give it a few more days after it arrives at USEM before you schedule your interview. But, like I said, I think this was just a fluke.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Analisa, on 05 Dec 2015 - 11:13 PM, said:

Man, if things are ever going smoothly I'm gonna assume something is wrong. We had everything planned perfectly for the interview. My brother had bought me a flight so I could go with my fiancé but then he got mad at me and cancelled it!! I can't believe him. He was also going to be my co-sponsor but I don't think that's happening anymore either. So now I have 6 weeks to figure this out. Does anyone know if they base your income off gross or net? I should be fine if it's gross but wanted a co-sponsor since I'm just barely over the poverty line and have only had my job for 9 months. And my savings isn't all that great after paying these fees and purchasing flights, hotel, etc.

They will only look at line 22 of the 1040 for GROSS income.

[Chuck and Rosana 34]

It's very strange that there are so many letters we are told that we shouldn't wait for and we will never receive. I have received every single letter and notification I could get, including the letter from the NVC. My fiancee also received a letter from the Manila Embassy giving her some information and instructions for next steps.

How long after your petition reached the embassy did your fiance get the the embassy letter?

[Analisa 7]

They will only look at line 22 of the 1040 for GROSS income.

Right. I forgot to mention that last year I didn't file because I fell below the filing threshold :|

I'm hoping to have my W2 by the time of his interview as a little extra evidence.

[Prystine 184]

We finally have the Medical and Interview scheduled, omg such relief. Medical on 12/16 and have to wait until 01/14 for the interview but I'm just glad we finally have dates schedule.

[uppercasedee 15]

We finally have the Medical and Interview scheduled, omg such relief. Medical on 12/16 and have to wait until 01/14 for the interview but I'm just glad we finally have dates schedule.

Exciting news!!

[Chuck and Rosana 34]

We finally have the Medical and Interview scheduled, omg such relief. Medical on 12/16 and have to wait until 01/14 for the interview but I'm just glad we finally have dates schedule.

Great news!!

[Erick and Marj 11]

How long after your petition reached the embassy did your fiance get the the embassy letter?

Our info arrived at the embassy around the 29th of October and she received the letter around the 17th of November, so about 20 days.