Manila - Case Number Received, Pay fee now or wait till case at embassy?

[SDSUPinoy 1]

So we just received our case number.  Our embassy is the one in Manila, Philippines.  I've read that you can pay the fees immediately so that you can schedule interview and know interview date but I've also read that you should wait till the case is already at the embassy.  We are hoping to get a close interview so that she can possibly fly back with me so paying immediately seems like the best option to get things moving quickly but I've also read that waiting to make sure the case is at the embassy is more prudent.  The thing is NVC said that it can take 2 weeks for the case to arrive at the embassy. 

 

Any experiences or words of advice or opinions on this?

 

Thanks

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

12 minutes ago, SDSUPinoy said:

So we just received our case number.  Our embassy is the one in Manila, Philippines.  I've read that you can pay the fees immediately so that you can schedule interview and know interview date but I've also read that you should wait till the case is already at the embassy.  We are hoping to get a close interview so that she can possibly fly back with me so paying immediately seems like the best option to get things moving quickly but I've also read that waiting to make sure the case is at the embassy is more prudent.  The thing is NVC said that it can take 2 weeks for the case to arrive at the embassy. 

 

Any experiences or words of advice or opinions on this?

 

Thanks

 

As soon as you have the NVC case number, yes, you can schedule for an interview and schedule to complete the medical. Sometimes might not be an opening for a month even so, but if you schedule 3-4 weeks in advance probably should be okay... Keep up with your CEAC status to see where your petition is.

 

The medical at St Lukes should be done 1-2 weeks prior to the interview. They request a copy of the NVC case letter that the petitioner will get in the mail.

 

CFO can be done at any point, just if done before visa is in hand, they need to return after to get final stamp/certificate showing completion.

 

NBI clearance, birth certifiicate, CENOMAR and such you should get those now so you have them.

[TerrenceR 12]

7 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

As soon as you have the NVC case number, yes, you can schedule for an interview and schedule to complete the medical. Sometimes might not be an opening for a month even so, but if you schedule 3-4 weeks in advance probably should be okay... Keep up with your CEAC status to see where your petition is.

 

The medical at St Lukes should be done 1-2 weeks prior to the interview. They request a copy of the NVC case letter that the petitioner will get in the mail.

 

CFO can be done at any point, just if done before visa is in hand, they need to return after to get final stamp/certificate showing completion.

 

NBI clearance, birth certifiicate, CENOMAR and such you should get those now so you have them.

I'm a little confused. I have seen multiple posts where you have stated that medical at St. Lukes should be done 1-2 weeks prior to the interview. I have seen replies to that stating the wait is no longer needed as the medical file is sealed and hand carried to the USEM for the interview. Are you aware of this? Thanks.

[geowrian 22,337]

13 minutes ago, TerrenceR said:

I'm a little confused. I have seen multiple posts where you have stated that medical at St. Lukes should be done 1-2 weeks prior to the interview. I have seen replies to that stating the wait is no longer needed as the medical file is sealed and hand carried to the USEM for the interview. Are you aware of this? Thanks.

That's correct, but you should still do it in advance in case the tests are not conclusive or you need a followup, or in case something happens and you cannot do the medical that day. Waiting until the last days before the interview is risky and could result in a 221g pending a completed/clean medical, which will add weeks to your timeline.

[TerrenceR 12]

3 minutes ago, geowrian said:

That's correct, but you should still do it in advance in case the tests are not conclusive or you need a followup, or in case something happens and you cannot do the medical that day. Waiting until the last days before the interview is risky and could result in a 221g pending a completed/clean medical, which will add weeks to your timeline.

I like to take risks. But, seriously, it's difficult to have to keep flying back and forth between Cebu and Manila. We just finished the CRBA for our daughter last month (had to go to Manila to complete) and I won't be able to fly back prior to her making it here.

Anyways, if we are pending a completed/clean medical, won't that likely add weeks to the timeline either way?

[geowrian 22,337]

20 minutes ago, TerrenceR said:

I like to take risks. But, seriously, it's difficult to have to keep flying back and forth between Cebu and Manila. We just finished the CRBA for our daughter last month (had to go to Manila to complete) and I won't be able to fly back prior to her making it here.

Anyways, if we are pending a completed/clean medical, won't that likely add weeks to the timeline either way?

I understand, and it's not cheap to do that. There was another case here recently for SLEC issues regarding TB (2 months for the sputum culture...), which really threw a wrench into their plans.

 

Yes, but I meant it adding weeks in addition to the actual clean medical timeline. You would have to submit the new medical to them and wait for them to receive and review it, which tends to take weeks. You can't just hand them results after the interview.

 

Then again, I'm quite risk-adverse.

 

Best wishes!

[TerrenceR 12]

6 minutes ago, geowrian said:

I understand, and it's not cheap to do that. There was another case here recently for SLEC issues regarding TB (2 months for the sputum culture...), which really threw a wrench into their plans.

 

Yes, but I meant it adding weeks in addition to the actual clean medical timeline. You would have to submit the new medical to them and wait for them to receive and review it, which tends to take weeks. You can't just hand them results after the interview.

 

Then again, I'm quite risk-adverse.

 

Best wishes!

You have no idea how risk-adverse I am, lol. Thanks for the information, I just really want to clear up the 1-2 week wait that people seem to think is mandatory.

 

I have a buddy who I work with, coincidentally, whose wife had issues with TB which prolonged the process by six months. I can only cross my fingers as that's the only thing I'm worried about. Interview should be a breeze.

 

Best of luck and I'm sure I'll be watching your progress as you are a couple weeks ahead of me in the process!