Visa Interview Preparation - US Embassy in Manila

[pcpro178 0]

My Filipina wife and I (US citizen) have been working on her CR1 visa for almost two years now, having started the process in April of 2016.  We're finally past the medical and have her visa appointment scheduled for this coming January 5.  I heard that we should be prepared for (bring everything that would be required by) the 221g process.  However, I'm not able to find much information about it online.  Should I plan to bring more documentation than what is listed on interview appointment letter?  Additional documentation that I am already planning to bring include our 4-year chat history (text only), photos from our previous three visits, and receipts of support I have sent her.  The saved photos' resolution is good for about 5"x7" prints.  Any advice on what else we should bring to the interview or the number of photos?

 

Also, I've heard that my wife will be required to take some kind of class, required by the Philippine government, about living in the USA, before she will be allowed to exit the country.  Does anyone know anything about this, and where I may go to get more information?

[TBoneTX 45,304]

Thread is moved from CR-1 Case Progress subforum to the Philippines regional forum.

[payxibka 10,045]

She will be required to take the PDOS seminar offered thru CFO

 

cfo.gov.ph

Edited December 14, 2017 by payxibka

[pcpro178 0]

@payxibka Thanks!  I only found out about this requirement yesterday evening, and the trip is planned.  Do you know if they will hold her visa/passport, or will the stamp be issued right away at the conclusion of the seminar?

[geowrian 22,337]

8 minutes ago, pcpro178 said:

@payxibka Thanks!  I only found out about this requirement yesterday evening, and the trip is planned.  Do you know if they will hold her visa/passport, or will the stamp be issued right away at the conclusion of the seminar?

The sticker can be affixed immediately upon successful completion. You must have the visa in the passport before they can issue the sticker. You can take the course beforehand, but they won't actually give the sticker until the visa is in the passport.

 

What trip is planned?

[Hank_ 9,174]

2 hours ago, pcpro178 said:

My Filipina wife and I (US citizen) have been working on her CR1 visa for almost two years now, having started the process in April of 2016.  We're finally past the medical and have her visa appointment scheduled for this coming January 5.  I heard that we should be prepared for (bring everything that would be required by) the 221g process.  However, I'm not able to find much information about it online.  Should I plan to bring more documentation than what is listed on interview appointment letter?  Additional documentation that I am already planning to bring include our 4-year chat history (text only), photos from our previous three visits, and receipts of support I have sent her.  The saved photos' resolution is good for about 5"x7" prints.  Any advice on what else we should bring to the interview or the number of photos?

 

Also, I've heard that my wife will be required to take some kind of class, required by the Philippine government, about living in the USA, before she will be allowed to exit the country.  Does anyone know anything about this, and where I may go to get more information?

What is needed for the interview at USEM is all listed in the embassy instructions letter.

https://ph.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/2016/08/IV-Applicant-Interview-Preparation-Instructions-08112016-English-365KB.pdf

https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/family-based-immigration/the-interview/

 

Interview:  http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/immigrant-visa-application.html

 

CFO: http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/cfo-orientation-seminar.html

 

 

1 hour ago, payxibka said:

She will be required to take the PDOS seminar offered thru CFO    

 

cfo.gov.ph

 GCP is for spouse & fiancee of a USC, not PDOS.     

 

http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/cfo-orientation-seminar.html

Edited December 14, 2017 by Hank_

[Hank_ 9,174]

33 minutes ago, pcpro178 said:

@payxibka Thanks!  I only found out about this requirement yesterday evening, and the trip is planned.  Do you know if they will hold her visa/passport, or will the stamp be issued right away at the conclusion of the seminar?

The CFO sticker (GCP seminar) will be affixed in the passport once the visa has been issued.  With GCP you can take the seminar before or after receiving the passport with visa.

[pcpro178 0]

3 hours ago, Hank_ said:

What is needed for the interview at USEM is all listed in the embassy instructions letter.

https://ph.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/2016/08/IV-Applicant-Interview-Preparation-Instructions-08112016-English-365KB.pdf

https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/family-based-immigration/the-interview/

 

Interview:  http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/immigrant-visa-application.html

 

CFO: http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/cfo-orientation-seminar.html

 

 

 GCP is for spouse & fiancee of a USC, not PDOS.     

 

http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/cfo-orientation-seminar.html

According to the CFO website, it looks like my wife will need to take the PDOS, since she will have an immigrant visa (CR-1), and I am a US citizen who lives in the USA, not in the Philippines.

 

Edited December 14, 2017 by pcpro178

[Hank_ 9,174]

8 minutes ago, pcpro178 said:

According to the CFO website, it looks like my wife will need to take the PDOS, since she will have an immigrant visa (CR-1), and I am a US citizen who lives in the USA, not in the Philippines.

 

 

 

Are you a USC?   Then you are a foreign national.   GCP for your spouse/fiancee

Edited December 14, 2017 by Hank_

[pcpro178 0]

18 hours ago, Hank_ said:

 

 

Are you a USC?   Then you are a foreign national.   GCP for your spouse/fiancee

Thanks so much!  You are correct.  I received written confirmation from the CFO that my wife will need to attend the GCP:

 

Quote

 

Greetings from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

 

Your wife needs to attend the guidance and counseling program or GCP. All CFO offices offers this session but your wife  needs to have an online appointment  before coming to CFO.  Please follow this link for her online appointment http://www.cfo.gov.ph/gcp.html. The requirements  and instructions are listed on the confirmation page. 

 

 

Thank you.

 

 

[Hank_ 9,174]

10 minutes ago, pcpro178 said:

Thanks so much!  You are correct.  I received written confirmation from the CFO that my wife will need to attend the GCP:

 

 

You are not the first to get confused on that.

 

For many of us it is a - been there, done that.