IR5 Expedite Approved; USEM now has file…whats next?

[Wendy8319 1]

Greetings. Our case (my mother-in-law) was approved for expedite (via our Senators request) and NVC has sent it to Manila. I have questions…

 

1-Do we need to book an appointment somewhere or do they reach out to us?

2-Does anyone know the approximate time it is taking to get said interview at this point?

 

We are trying to make sure everything is in order since its been years now in the making. Pending an appointment,  

 

1-will the next thing be making an appointment for the medical bit?

2-Do we schedule that now or after we get the appointment?

 

In regards to the CFO part, after medical and after the interview (with approval),

 

1-is it just a matter of registering and printing off a certificate? It’s for a senior.

 

Is there anything else we need to know? I feel like this has been the most terrible process and every single step has been very unclear. I appreciate any assistance.

 

 

[Chancy 6,241]

38 minutes ago, Wendy8319 said:

1-Do we need to book an appointment somewhere or do they reach out to us?

 

Because the case was expedited, you need to book the visa interview schedule online.  Check this thread for reports from others who have gone through the process --

 

 

[Hank_ 9,174]

Before the beer virus you would always schedule your own interview with an expedite.   Now I hear mixed info where some have been able to schedule and other had to wait for the embassy.   

 

This is the embassy process w/checklist  https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-and-fiancee-visa-interview-preparation-instructions/

 

Interview appt  info:  interview online at http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/ph/  or call the Embassy’s Visa Information and Appointment Service Center at (+632) 8548-8223 and (+632) 7792-8988.

[hunny&me 274]

8 hours ago, Wendy8319 said:

Greetings. Our case (my mother-in-law) was approved for expedite (via our Senators request) and NVC has sent it to Manila. I have questions…

 

1-Do we need to book an appointment somewhere or do they reach out to us?

2-Does anyone know the approximate time it is taking to get said interview at this point?

 

We are trying to make sure everything is in order since its been years now in the making. Pending an appointment,  

 

1-will the next thing be making an appointment for the medical bit?

2-Do we schedule that now or after we get the appointment?

 

In regards to the CFO part, after medical and after the interview (with approval),

 

1-is it just a matter of registering and printing off a certificate? It’s for a senior.

 

Is there anything else we need to know? I feel like this has been the most terrible process and every single step has been very unclear. I appreciate any assistance.

 

 

1 - Based on people's experiences - they either get letter from USEM with a date or an instruction to open a CGI account and schedule the appointment - about 40 days when your case becomes "Ready"
          You can check here >> https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx
          Unfortunately, we cannot determine the pattern on who gets IL with ID or just instructions.  So you can create when your status is Ready. https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/  - just have to be determined (everyday to check for availability).

 

2 - Depends - Again, there is no pattern for USEM releasing open slots.  Just last March 21, they opened slots for March 24.  Not enough time for medical for those not yet ready.

Medical - Again up to your phase since ID slots are unpredictable.  A lot of people are waiting and IR5 slots are grabbed in minutes of opening up.  There is also chances for sputum that prolongs the medical (culture result in 2 months).  SLEC open slots are also filled.  To date, March to half of April is already closed.  If you are a determined watcher, go get the medical settled (it expires 6 months).  You will already know if cleared on Day 2, or 2 months or require TB treatment.  Applicant cannot attend an interview without a cleared VALID medical from SLEC.

  Medical appointment at https://slec.ph/ .  You also need negative RT-PCR with 3-days prior to Medical Day1.  Plan that as well.  Either get at Saint Lukes Hospital (QC or BGC) - 2 days before SLEC medical day or any DOH accredited - 3 days before SLEC Medical Day 1.   DOH Accredited laboratories >> https://doh.gov.ph/licensed-covid-19-testing-laboratories
 

CFO - you register, upload documents, they review.  Since its senior, they release cert.  Review may take days.  But if flight is scheduled, senior walk-in to CFO to get sticker is also allowed.  Passport with Visa is needed.

Bring vaxxard or vaxcert all the time.

Flight Day:
Ticket
Passport with Visa
CFO sticker on passport or CFO certificate
CDC Attestation  >> https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/fr-proof-negative-test.html
Vaxx Card or VaxCert  >> https://vaxcert.doh.gov.ph/
Negative Antigen taken a day before the flight
Check ticket purchase of including Philippine travel tax (P1,620 pesos).  If you bought online, or foreign airline, the travel tax is probably not included.
* Check with airline if they have their own list of requirement.

For more information and reading experiences of others, join (mostly Filipinos) FB >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IR5VISA

Hope this helps!

 

  

[Wendy8319 1]

Thank you so much for your response! Very helpful.

 

Our status has said ready for three days now on the tracking site. I did go ahead and register on the CGI site but it just says no appointments available each time I check. I have also sent an email asking for help prior to posting here.

 

In regards to the medical, I have read conflicting information saying that you have to have an interview letter to get an appointment. I have also seen that you dont have to and they will accept the DS 260. Do you have clarification on which one it is? We would most definitely like to get the medical part finished and willing to do it twice if need be (due to expiration). It would feel better to be done with it. She was able to get the Covid vaccine a while back so that part is done.

 

I was on the FB group but most of it is Tagalog which I can’t speak so it was ultimately  not helpful. I had to keep asking my husband to translate