Manila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

[Dakine 26]

If you are married and apply for CENOMAR you will get a CEMAR . Cert. of marriage!

Good to have one way or the other.

Ours showed our marriage plus my wifes [widowed] first marriage.

Embassy eased up doing their own checks on CENOMAR last fall but looks like their back doing it again whether you give them the copy you got from NSO or not.

All on a case by case basis tho

If a beneficiary is older and has illegimate kids they tend to check on their own more for singleness.

They well know that it's easier to get fake NSO certs. than to get an annument in pinas!

[VilmaF 0]

Mae had her interview on the 18th but she didn't receive her CENOMAR in time, so we knew she most likely wouldn't get the visa immediately. However, she did pass the interview (!) and needs to return with the CENOMAR to continue processing the visa (technically, I assume this is AR? She said something about a blue flag?).

JeffK: USEM CO are not consistent with what they asks from their applicants and it is always best to have all the possible documents at hand for the interview. CENOMAR is required (as listed in the appointment packet) for Immigrant Visa Applicants but even if the applicant have this for the interview, they still do their own NSO checks which takes about 10 working days to process with NSO (according to Lorraine). Don't worry too much, the good thing is that you paid for DELBROS (always a good sign). You just need to wait until they received a copy of the CENOMAR from NSO, then CO will review the case again, and then the visa will be delivered to you in due time. You just have to follow-up it with them, call once a week just to check the status.

My wife just got back from her interview and was told by the consul if she had prior marriages and said she will check nso. She did not have a CENOMAR- is that required for a cr-1 visa?They gave her a paper saying, "if there are documents (affv of sup, passport, a long list, etc. ) if checked, they will send you a letter to come back & "wait till you hear from us" the problem is there was nothing checked. They also said notify her if there are needed documents if not the visa will be sent.So whats the deal?

crambajoy: The appointment packet for Immigrant Visa (CR/IR) states there on number 6 is CENOMAR. That all documents listed (including the CENOMAR) have to be ready to submit at the time of the interview. Although they don't usually asks for CENOMAR during the interview, since they do their own NSO checks, it is always better to have all the necessary documents at hand to avoid these things-> going back there to submit more documents.

For those who will still have their interview, this could help you in some ways:

CENOMAR for single: NSO will give the CRS Form No. 4 - which will state that the applicant does not appear in their National Indices of Marriages based on the records of 1945-2007 marriages enrolled in their database as of ______.

CENOMAR for married or previously married: NSO will give the CRS Form No. 5 (Advisory on Marriages) - which will state the date and place of marriage and the name of the bride and groom. All marriages whether annulled/spouse died will still appear on the records. For those with annulled cases, applicant should bring a copy of the MC with annotation of annulment and the court's order. For those who are widow/er, bring a copy (NSO) of the death certificate.

Please enlighten me on this. For those who are widow/er, do they still need to get CENOMAR or just bring a copy of the death certificate?

[vsmtghdy 2]

Please enlighten me on this. For those who are widow/er, do they still need to get CENOMAR or just bring a copy of the death certificate?

VilmaF: If you are a widow/er, it is better to prepare the Death certificate of the ex-spouse since the CENOMAR will still show there that you are/were married to that person. All previous marriage whether annulled or the spouse died, will still appear on the CENOMAR. If you still have time, it is also advisable to have a copy of the CENOMAR (even if USEM will not ask for it and will do they own NSO checks). WE don't know what the CO will ask and it is better to have all the possible documents that we can gather for the interview. The more "ammunition" the better. Good Luck.

Edited June 22, 2007 by vsmtghdy

[island_princess 2]

Things are getting faster and faster now!!!! I got my appointment letter just today!

But anyway, I have one query...

Are we allowed to have medical exam during the "red" days (the ladies thing) ???

[Bernie4Bien 0]

Things are getting faster and faster now!!!! I got my appointment letter just today!

But anyway, I have one query...

Are we allowed to have medical exam during the "red" days (the ladies thing) ???

Nope....St. Luke's will not let you have your medical exam when you have your period or during the "red" days.

[Bernie4Bien 0]

I received my PACKET 4 TODAY! yippeeeyyyyy

[chipsahoy 3]

I hope ours will come soon..

Congratulations island princess and Bien!

[jerrylee 0]

:dance: Congratulations Island Princess and Bien!!! :dance:

[vsmtghdy 2]

Things are getting faster and faster now!!!! I got my appointment letter just today!

But anyway, I have one query...

Are we allowed to have medical exam during the "red" days (the ladies thing) ???

I received my PACKET 4 TODAY! yippeeeyyyyy

Island_Princess and Bernie4Bien: CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK ON YOUR MEDICAL AND INTERVIEW.

And for Island_Princess, you will not be entertained for the medical if you have your period. They need urine specimen and that will contaminate the results, also for the physical exam, since you will be asked to undress... hmmm... that will be messy on their bed linens so they don't allow it. If you think you will be having your period on your appointed medical schedule, then have your medical earlier. Since you have your appointment letter, you can already go to SLEC anytime from nowand have your medical exam.

[island_princess 2]

Thank you for this Helen. Yup, I'll take my medical 2 weeks earlier than sched.

And for Island_Princess, you will not be entertained for the medical if you have your period. They need urine specimen and that will contaminate the results, also for the physical exam, since you will be asked to undress... hmmm... that will be messy on their bed linens so they don't allow it. If you think you will be having your period on your appointed medical schedule, then have your medical earlier. Since you have your appointment letter, you can already go to SLEC anytime from nowand have your medical exam.

[crambajoy 0]

Hi everyone!

I just want to share the unexpected outcome of my interview this morning. I arrived at USEM around 430 am from Bayview Park Hotel. Everything went fine and the CO told me that my papers were organized and complete but they still need to verify some information in NSO regarding our status before we get married (if we have previous marriages) since we were both PINOY the time of our wedding coz my hubby wasn’t naturalize yet only last 2005 although he have been in the US for almost 15 years.

During my pre-screening (Filipino lady) only our pictures, emails, cards and snail mails were asked, I asked her if she needs to see my CENOMAR and my hubby’s 2006 ITR she said those are all fine…my money transfer receipts for the last 4 yrs were not even asked also the bank statement. Yeah, I pretty much covered everything that can served as a proof prior to our marriage but seems not enough knowing everything were organized and all originals and recent.

I feel wrecked after my moment wid the CO, I never expected it that I’ll be put on A/R. I answered all questions consistently & directly to the point with all my heart and gave some additional information like on the pictures (although it has captions already). Smiled even nerve wrecking. I don’t know where I came short. I saw some applicant weren’t even ready what to submit and present to them but end up having what they really wanted. I feel that my readings with all these visa things didn’t paid off …I still end up at the darker part of the journey. I was hoping to be reunited wid my honey in 2 weeks but I am disappointed. I strive harder but it didn’t work out. I insisted twice to present my CENOMAR to the Pre-screener and to the CO both refused to accept.

I am just wondering if I am just the only IR visa applicant here that went thru the same situation. Did I really screw up? How long am I going to be doomed?:roll:

I don’t wanna lose hope even I’ve been thru a lot of RFE’s (not our fault tho) coz I am almost there. Please..please enlighten me everyone. I don’t know when to cheer up now.

PS. They let me pay delbros and was given a paper wid “wait till u here from us” words. I brought a 3 kilos of proof but was't enough.

I am in total despair.

Same story with my wife "but they still need to verify some information in NSO regarding our status before we get married (if we have previous marriages)" and got the paper “wait till u here from us” also. Hope it takes just 8 days like you.

[busycharlie 0]

Hi everyone!

I just want to share the unexpected outcome of my interview this morning. I arrived at USEM around 430 am from Bayview Park Hotel. Everything went fine and the CO told me that my papers were organized and complete but they still need to verify some information in NSO regarding our status before we get married (if we have previous marriages) since we were both PINOY the time of our wedding coz my hubby wasn't naturalize yet only last 2005 although he have been in the US for almost 15 years.

During my pre-screening (Filipino lady) only our pictures, emails, cards and snail mails were asked, I asked her if she needs to see my CENOMAR and my hubby's 2006 ITR she said those are all fine…my money transfer receipts for the last 4 yrs were not even asked also the bank statement. Yeah, I pretty much covered everything that can served as a proof prior to our marriage but seems not enough knowing everything were organized and all originals and recent.

I feel wrecked after my moment wid the CO, I never expected it that I'll be put on A/R. I answered all questions consistently & directly to the point with all my heart and gave some additional information like on the pictures (although it has captions already). Smiled even nerve wrecking. I don't know where I came short. I saw some applicant weren't even ready what to submit and present to them but end up having what they really wanted. I feel that my readings with all these visa things didn't paid off …I still end up at the darker part of the journey. I was hoping to be reunited wid my honey in 2 weeks but I am disappointed. I strive harder but it didn't work out. I insisted twice to present my CENOMAR to the Pre-screener and to the CO both refused to accept.

I am just wondering if I am just the only IR visa applicant here that went thru the same situation. Did I really screw up? How long am I going to be doomed?:roll:

I don't wanna lose hope even I've been thru a lot of RFE's (not our fault tho) coz I am almost there. Please..please enlighten me everyone. I don't know when to cheer up now.

PS. They let me pay delbros and was given a paper wid "wait till u here from us" words. I brought a 3 kilos of proof but was't enough.

I am in total despair.

Same story with my wife "but they still need to verify some information in NSO regarding our status before we get married (if we have previous marriages)" and got the paper "wait till u here from us" also. Hope it takes just 8 days like you.

Is this a common problem for those Filipina that have been married before? Does anyone know if this happens if the American was married and is now divorced? Just curious.

Good Luck,

Charlie

[VilmaF 0]

Hi,

What if the US citizen who is a Filipino has a previous marriage in the Philippines which was annuled but doesnt have a copy of the annulment paper. Reason is because the wife was the one who filed for annulment and he doesnt know where to contact the previous wife.

Does anyone know where to get copy of the annulment paper and will US Embassy make an investigation if he has previous marriage considering that he is a Filipino but was naturalized US citizen since 1980s? What if the copy of annulment paper cannot be presented?

Thanks.

[Skeeter211 2]

Hi,

What if the US citizen who is a Filipino has a previous marriage in the Philippines which was annuled but doesnt have a copy of the annulment paper. Reason is because the wife was the one who filed for annulment and he doesnt know where to contact the previous wife.

Does anyone know where to get copy of the annulment paper and will US Embassy make an investigation if he has previous marriage considering that he is a Filipino but was naturalized US citizen since 1980s? What if the copy of annulment paper cannot be presented?

Thanks.

I would guess the embassy would ask for a CENOMAR from him. If so, the US Citizen's CENOMAR will show a previous marriage and his Fiance cannot be given a K-1 without proof that the marriage was annulled. Do you know where she filed that annullment? If so, I would contact the court (or have a family member back in the PI do it) and get a copy of the annullment from the court. You will need the annullment decree and the certification of finality from the court that granted the annullment and the certified copy of the marriage contract with annotation from the local registrar where you both got married. These will then be filed with the NSO so that you can receive an NSO copy of the marriage contract with annotation of the annullment. We were asked for both the NSO copy of the annullment and the certification of finality during the interview. If the previous marriage is discovered and there is no proof of termination, the K-1 will be denied. Likewise, I would think trying to hide the prior marriage could result in a fraud charge and a ban for the intending visa applicant.

Just my opinion and best of luck!

Scott

PS....Congrats to all those that were recently granted their visas!!!! Glad to see so many are successful and arriving here to be with their sweethearts. Mir and I are doing well and got married this past June 18, 2007. Below is one of our wedding photos. So happy together at last!!!!!

[Pinay Wife 47]

Is this a common problem for those Filipina that have been married before? Does anyone know if this happens if the American was married and is now divorced? Just curious.

If the American citizen was married before and submitted a copy of his divorce papers, Embassy would not be suspicious of its authenticity but any document issued by a Philippine government office needs to be double checked due to the abundance of fake documents in Manila.

If so, I would contact the court (or have a family member back in the PI do it) and get a copy of the annullment from the court. You will need the annullment decree and the certification of finality from the court that granted the annullment and the certified copy of the marriage contract with annotation from the local registrar where you both got married. These will then be filed with the NSO so that you can receive an NSO copy of the marriage contract with annotation of the annullment.

I agree with Skeeter (lovely wedding photo there Scott and congrats on the wedding!). The court can give copy of the annulment decree, finality and certificate of registration. It would be helpful if you know the name of the city where the case was filed, Branch No. of the Court that handled the case and Case No. of the annulment proceeding. It would be difficult to look for a case file that has been archived a long time ago if these info are not provided.

Updated to congratulate Almi and Randy on visa approval. Good luck to Gary (StarProg) and Fely on the 28th! Bring her home, Gary!

Legend:

OK - Visa approved

AR - Admin Review/Add'l Docs Required

ME - Military Expedite

AO - Age-Out (Derivative approaching age 21)

Name..................NOA2....MNL REC'D..PACKET...INTERVIEW..MNL CASE#..STATUS..DELIVERED/#OF DAYS/PLACE DLVRD

K1 LIST

01..orion44.........02-22-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..06-05-07..2007-xxxxxx..OK..Jun 12/07 days/Muntinlupa

02..David-MaeForev..02-27-07..03-14-07..xx-xx-xx..06-07-07..2007-564xxx..OK..Jun 14/07 days/Laguna

03..JeffK...........03-08-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..06-18-07..2007-573xxx..AR..Cenomar

04..Almi and Randy..03-07-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..06-19-07..2007-57xxxx..OK

05..elmasguapo......12-15-06..01-08-07..xx-xx-xx..07-03-07..2006-xxxxxx

06..CountryBoy......03-29-07..04-23-07..xx-xx-xx..07-04-07..2007-608xxx

07..dave&evan.......04-12-07..04-25-07..xx-xx-xx..07-05-07..2007-60xxxx

08..trakon2002......04-05-07..xx-xx-xx..04-25-07..07-11-07..2007-613xxx

09..happyinlove.....04-14-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..07-11-07..2007-xxxxxx

10..C&M14...........05-03-07..xx-xx-xx..05-25-07..07-11-07..2007-62xxxx

11..Intelek.........04-19-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-02-07..2007-xxxxxx

12..2hearts1beat....05-03-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-03-07..2007-xxxxxx

13..busycharlie.....05-03-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-03-07..2007-xxxxxx

14..rea.............05-01-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-06-07..2007-xxxxxx

15..Bernie4Bien.....05-01-07..05-18-07..06-23-07..08-06-07..2007-xxxxxx

16..Anthony Julie...05-xx-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-07-07..2007-63xxxx

17..shaggy474.......xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-10-07..2007-xxxxxx

18..Novelyn&Gragg...05-10-07..06-06-07..xx-xx-xx..08-13-07..2007-xxxxxx

19..JoanBill........06-09-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-14-07..2007-xxxxxx

K3 LIST

01..AnneiyandJacky..11-28-06..xx-xx-xx..02-27-07..04-17-07..2006-685xxx..AR..Co-sponsor

02..luvbugs4ever....12-14-06..12-21-06..03-02-07..07-03-07..2006-8xxxxx

03..islandprincess..05-21-07..xx-xx-xx..06-23-07..08-03-07..2007-xxxxxx

IR-1/CR-1

Name.................NOA2.....CASE CMPLT..PACKET..INTERVIEW...MNL CASE#..STATUS

01..crambajoy.......09-19-06..05-10-07..05-23-06..06-20-07..2007-xxxxxx..AR..Cenomar

02..StarProg........12-28-06..05-10-07..xx-xx-xx..06-28-07..2007-508xxx

03..islandprincess..05-21-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

04..DogWood Poet....11-07-06..05-03-07..05-26-07..08-09-07..2007-xxxxxx..Interview reset