Embassy Appointment & Medical - Petitioner role and return times

[Killowatts 28]

So, for all the wonderful info on the site that can be searched, here is a topic that is rarely discussed.  Our NOA2 time is close and we are debating next steps.  Rather than 2 trips back and forth (one for the embassy events, one for the trip to the US), we're considering saving money and only doing 1 trip.  Besides the obvious answer of "moral support," can someone discuss/confirm that there really isn't anything for the petitioner to actively do during their embassy interview day and their medical exam(s).

 

Second/related question:

We have the impression that the time between the embassy/medical and when the passport is returned with the visa can be several weeks, so waiting around doesn't seem practical for someone working in the US.  If that is wrong based on your experience let me know.  She lives in Cebu, so we're not clear if she should wait in Manila and pick it up rather than wait however long it takes to courier it to her remote barangay in northern Cebu.

 

Final question:

Once the passport is returned, the approved beneficiary can travel to the US immediately, correct?  Our thinking is that once her embassy interview is over, I'd have a ticket to fly there a week or two later, visit family (going away party) and then bring her to the US.  She's nervous about international airports alone, understandably.

 

So, thanks in advance to those answering one or all...

 

1.  What does the petitioner do during beneficiary's embassy and medical appointments?

2.  How long between Manila embassy interview and passport return (locally or to another island)

3.  Can the beneficiary travel as soon as their passport is returned?

[debbiedoo 2,339]

What does the petitioner do during beneficiary's embassy and medical appointments?

 

nothing. make sure all fees have been paid and she has all original documents and I-134 evidence

 

2.  How long between Manila embassy interview and passport return (locally or to another island)

 

? ask in the Philippines forum

 

3.  Can the beneficiary travel as soon as their passport is returned?

 

As long as the visa is attached, yes.

[nelmagriffin 148]

Greetings!

Tips:

1. The number one thing that you need to do is to make sure that all documents are complete and current especially from your side in the USA (ITR etc. ) and for your fiancee" in Cebu ( Her current Certificate of Singleness CENOMAR, NBI (must be current) then must have an extra NSO Birth Certificate. In other words, just prepare everything like a lawyer just in case it will be asked to avoid delays.

2. Do not worry about the flying to Manila and back to Cebu, If you are wise, buy the tickets ahead of time online via CEBUPACIFIC. it goes as low as 79$ two way. (only when you buy it way ahead of time.

3. Stay near the clinic on Bocobo Street. like Casa Bocobo Hotel, clean and not expensive plus it is a walking distance to the Clinic. link:http://www.casabocobo.com.ph/

4. After the medical and interview she can now have the seminar from CFO or may have the seminar way ahead of time but must go back to the CFO office after the interview and bring her passport  (visa attached) CFO will attach a sticker. link:https://www.cfo.gov.ph/faqs/2014-06-20-06-35-41.html#question-8-if-i-had-already-attended-the-counseling-and-received-my-counseling-certificate-does-it-mean-i-am-already-registered-at-cfo

Please, make sure to bring all the documents asked before going to the seminar.

5. Then she is ready to fly.

Note: I am from Cebu as well. After my interview I rcvd. my visa three days after.

Edited August 15, 2018 by nelmagriffin

[nelmagriffin 148]

1.  What does the petitioner do during beneficiary's embassy and medical appointments?

*The beneficiary must gather and prepare all documents ready, her passport, NBI, and CENOMAR must be in current dates., photos and other related documents to prove the relationship.

* Prepare all school credentials like TOR. So, IF she decided to attend school here in the USA to further her education then all she has to do is have them evaluated, rather than waiting and having relatives request for TOR back home.

* Have extra Birth Certificate printed on NSO security paper for her to take, This document is constantly being asked anyways, YES, you may have this ordered and deliver to the USA for $20, but why do that when you can request it while still there for under P200.

* Stay healthy as we all know that the medical result is important before a visa is issued.

* Be familiar with documents. steps during the interview by reading. Here is a link from US Embassy Manila:  https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/the-interview/

*By the way, if she has nothing to do, she can attend the CFO seminar ahead of time while waiting for her medical and her interview. Here is the link:

https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/after-the-interview/

ALSO HAVE HER CALL CFO CEBU PRIOR AS I HAVE SEEN IN TWO DIFFERENT SCHEDULES, ONE HAS NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED THAT I ATTACHED BELOW AND ONE THE OTHER HAS A DIFFERENT SCHEDULE :

2.  How long between Manila embassy interview and passport return (locally or to another island)

It all depends if she has all documents complete and nothing wrong then 3 to 5 days. Mine was 3 days after my interview.

She has the option to have it delivered or to pick up to the nearest courier location: Here is something from US Embassy:

Delivery of Visas

"The Immigrant Visa Unit uses a guaranteed courier service to deliver issued visas. 2GO commercial courier is the authorized courier service provider for the visa units. Visas are delivered directly to the applicant’s designated address at no additional cost. Applicants also have the option to pick up the visas at the nearest 2GO branch. Applicants do not need to return to the Embassy to pick up their issued visas."

Direct Link: https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/after-the-interview/

And here is the link for the courier if you wanted to ask for the nearest location where you wanted to pick up your visa or simply to track it: https://supplychain.2go.com.ph/CustomerSupport/contactus/index.asp

3.  Can the beneficiary travel as soon as their passport is returned?

After the interview, she has to attend a seminar at the CFO Office, a certificate is issued and a sticker is attached to her passport. However, She can have this done way ahead of time but must go back to the office and present her certificate of the seminar along with her passport wherein the visa is attached. CFO will attach a sticker. I also wanted your fiancee'' to be aware to bring all documents and evidence of the relationship such as photos letters as crazy as it may sound but it is true and needed.

NOTE: She must go there as early as possible as it is a first come first serve basis. Have her bring a copy of her birth certificate and a copy of her Id, maybe her passport BIO page will do. make sure otherwise, she will have to find a copier that usually opens later.

ACCORDING TO THE OFFICE OF CFO: 

Quote

 

REQUIREMENTS IN ATTENDING CFO SEMINAR:

 

C. Requirements

Counseling Requirements:
(with or without visa)
No need to photocopy any registration document
No need to submit ID photos

1. Two (2) original valid identification cards with photograph (see samples below);
2. Duly completed guidance and counseling form to be secured at the CFO;
3. If married in the Philippines, original Certificate of Marriage on security paper from the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA);
4. If married overseas, original Report of Marriage duly registered by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate or the Department of Foreign Affairs; and
5. Payment of PhP400.00 counseling and registration fee.

Additional documents may be required in the event that the counselor determines it to be essential to complete the guidance and counseling process. It is advised for all the GCP applicants to prepare the following documents (if applicable to them) in advance and bring these documents when they come to CFO:

1. Divorce decree/certificate (of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse, if previously married)
2. Annulment paper (of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse, if previously married)
3. Proof of residency/Alien Registration Card-ARC (of foreign spouse)
4. Proof of relationship (picture together, e-mails, among others)
5. Death certificate (of Filipino spouse or foreign spouse, if widow/widower)
6. Certificate of Family relations / registration (of foreign spouse)

 Additional registration requirements for those with visa:

1. Original valid passport;
2. Original valid visa
3. Original Immigrant Data Summary (please do not detach fromyellow packet) for US-bound emigrants, except for K visa holders;
4. Original Confirmation of Permanent Residencefor Canada-bound emigrants;
5. Original Visa Grant Notice for Australia-bound emigrants;
6. Original Certificate of Eligibility for Japan-bound emigrants;
7. Original CFO Guidance and Counseling Certificate (if already attended the GCP); and
8. Duly completed emigrant registration form.

COMMISSION ON FILIPINOS OVERSEAS adheres to very strict confidentiality standards. Any information or counseling/documents that you provide are kept strictly confidential, except in life threatening situations, cases of suspected abuse and danger on the part of the CFO clientele, or when release is otherwise required by law.

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D. How to Make an Online Appointment

1. Click the GOAS link for CFO Manila (www.gcp-appointment.cfo.gov.ph) or CFO Cebu (www.gcp-cebu-appointment.cfo.gov.ph) where you intend to attend the Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP).
2. Answer preliminary questions to verify if you need to attend the Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP).
3. If eligible for the GCP
   • Indicate your e-mail address
   • Click on the link sent to your e-mail
   • Choose your preferred date of appointment
   • Provide personal information of yourself and of your fiancé(e)/spouse/partner
4. Print barcoded confirmation form or save a digital copy (PDF format) in your mobile phone or tablet.
5. Take note of your date of appointment. Go to CFO-Manila or CFO-Cebu on the confirmed date at least an hour and a half before appointment and bring the complete set of required documents.

Primary IDs

Passport, Driver’s License, Postal ID, Social Security System (SSS ID), Goverment Service Insurance System (GSIS ID), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC ID), Senior Citizen’s ID Card, Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR I-Card), Consular ID, Seaman’s Book, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ID, Philippine Overseas, Employment Association (POEA) ID, PRA Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV) ID, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ID, Overseas Worker’s Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID, Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID), Philippine National Police (PNP) ID, Voter’s ID

Secondary IDs

National Statistics Office (NSO) Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate (NSO Authenticated), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, Police Clearance, Barangay Clearance/Certificate, Company/Office ID, Student’s ID or School ID, OFW ID, Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP), Tax Identification Number (TIN ID), PhilHealth Identification Card (PIC), Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF) or PAG-IBIG ID, Permit to Carry Firearms.

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ADDRESS:

CFO - CEBU 4th Floor, K&J Building #4 Don Julio Llorente St., Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000 Telephone: (032) 255-5253 PLEASE HAVE HER CALL  CFO PRIOR TO CLARIFY WITH THE SCHEDULE AND IF THEY STILL NEEDED TO HAVE AN ONLINE APPOINTMENT AS WELL. ASK HER TO BE SPECIFIC( USA FIANCE SCHEDULE) BELOW ARE TWO DIFFERENT SCHEDULE.   HERE IS THE ONE SCHEDULE THAT HAS NO RESERVATION NEEDED AND HAVE A MORNING TIME: Email: cfocebu@cfo.gov.ph HERE IS THE SECOND ONE THAT HAS ONLY AFTERNOON TIME SCHEDULE:     CFO-Cebu Satellite Office DAY SESSION (based on your fiance(e)'s / spouse's /partner's citizenship) TIME MONDAY United States of America (USA), Japan, SK and ASPAC (15 slots/session) 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM TUESDAY United States of America (USA) and Europe (15 slots/session) 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM WEDNESDAY Canada, Australia and New Zealand 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM THURSDAY United States of America (USA) and Europe (15 slots/session) 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM FRIDAY Middle East and other countries (15 slots/session) 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Edited August 15, 2018 by nelmagriffin

[Killowatts 28]

400 "counseling" fee.

 

What a shock, another way to get more pesos out of their people who simply wish to travel abroad.