What to expect after the interview?

[WCF 16]

My fiancée had her interview last Tuesday, 10/08 and was told by the counselor (window 64) that her visa was approved and she was handed a pamphlet. 
The other Filipinas that she is chatting with that interviewed on the same day have all had their visas issued and been notified that the visas have been shipped for delivery.  She is becoming very upset. My advice to be patient and not compare us to other people has not helped. My opinion has no standing against the Filipina TicTok army.
Our case tracker continues to say "Ready."  Is this a reliable indicator of what is going on? She is convinced that "Ready" means something is wrong. Does the tracker go through a progression such as "approved," or, "Issued?"
I assume that we will get an email with an LBC tracking number? I do know that others have been contacted that the visa has been shipped to it's destination for pick up or delivery.
Is there a process of an inquiry that we should submit after a period of time?
 

[top_secret 2,421]

41 minutes ago, WCF said:

My fiancée had her interview last Tuesday, 10/08 and was told by the counselor (window 64) that her visa was approved and she was handed a pamphlet. 
The other Filipinas that she is chatting with that interviewed on the same day have all had their visas issued and been notified that the visas have been shipped for delivery.  She is becoming very upset. My advice to be patient and not compare us to other people has not helped. My opinion has no standing against the Filipina TicTok army.
Our case tracker continues to say "Ready."  Is this a reliable indicator of what is going on? She is convinced that "Ready" means something is wrong. Does the tracker go through a progression such as "approved," or, "Issued?"
I assume that we will get an email with an LBC tracking number? I do know that others have been contacted that the visa has been shipped to it's destination for pick up or delivery.
Is there a process of an inquiry that we should submit after a period of time?
 

 

 

Keep watching the CEAC status.  When it changes to "issued" that is the first movement you will see.  Most cases go to issued within a day after a successful interview.  Some take longer.  A week is not uncommon.  4 to 6 weeks happens now and then.  It doesn't necessarily mean anything and no one knows why.  If they told her everything is good, it probably is.  Patience is required. Also, Monday, Columbus Day, is a holiday for the Embassy.  Tuesday is most likely you next chance to see movement.

[WCF 16]

17 minutes ago, top_secret said:

 

 

Keep watching the CEAC status.  When it changes to "issued" that is the first movement you will see.  Most cases go to issued within a day after a successful interview.  Some take longer.  A week is not uncommon.  4 to 6 weeks happens now and then.  It doesn't necessarily mean anything and no one knows why.  If they told her everything is good, it probably is.  Patience is required. Also, Monday, Columbus Day, is a holiday for the Embassy.  Tuesday is most likely you next chance to see movement.

Thank you. Yes, I have been telling her to have patience . . . but that's not helping. The fact that it hasn't progressed to "issued" has her up worrying. The Filipina TikTok army isn't helping.

[Edward and Jaycel 165]

Ours went from "Ready" to "Approved" then to "Issued". Ours took a couple of extra days longer to get to issued than a couple of the other Filipinas that Jaycel met there in the embassy and it caused her a lot of stress those extra 2 days so I can sympathize. Every single case is different, different folks in the Admin. Processing section of the visa unit taking different amounts of time to go through all of the paperwork, assemble the yellow packet, might be new and need a supervisor to review all of their work, etc. The list is endless for differences in how long it takes. One Filipina that Jaycel met there didn't get hers issued for like 2 weeks. And yes, the TikTok army is relentless and decidedly un-helpful. Jaycel says she wishes she never watched any videos about the embassy process because they are all drama just trying to get views and did not represent at all the experience she had. Sending good thoughts your way and hope they issue it soon for you guys!

Edited October 12 by Edward and Jaycel

[WCF 16]

4 hours ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

Ours went from "Ready" to "Approved" then to "Issued". Ours took a couple of extra days longer to get to issued than a couple of the other Filipinas that Jaycel met there in the embassy and it caused her a lot of stress those extra 2 days so I can sympathize. Every single case is different, different folks in the Admin. Processing section of the visa unit taking different amounts of time to go through all of the paperwork, assemble the yellow packet, might be new and need a supervisor to review all of their work, etc. The list is endless for differences in how long it takes. One Filipina that Jaycel met there didn't get hers issued for like 2 weeks. And yes, the TikTok army is relentless and decidedly un-helpful. Jaycel says she wishes she never watched any videos about the embassy process because they are all drama just trying to get views and did not represent at all the experience she had. Sending good thoughts your way and hope they issue it soon for you guys!

 

So helpful and so true. Thank you for the kind words. I'm grateful it went so quickly despite our unpleasant experience with the medical exam. My fiancée is getting emotional  due to TikTok chatter and it's only been 3 working days since her interview.

[WCF 16]

Yesterday was 2 weeks since the interview and nothing has changed. Case still says "Ready" in the CEAC case tracker. 
I sent an inquiry email 5 days ago and no reply. I attempted to call but gave up after an hour on hold. It's really frustrating and making my fiancée so sad.

[Edward and Jaycel 165]

2 minutes ago, WCF said:

Yesterday was 2 weeks since the interview and nothing has changed. Case still says "Ready" in the CEAC case tracker. 
I sent an inquiry email 5 days ago and no reply. I attempted to call but gave up after an hour on hold. It's really frustrating and making my fiancée so sad.

 

How did you do the email inquiry? Did you use the inquiry form on the embassy website or did you use an email address?

 

[WCF 16]

I used the traveldocs link that is given on the CEAC status pop up window. That's also where I found the phone number I called and was subjected to the same music on a loop for an hour before I gave up.
Yesterday, I searched and found an inquiry form for the US Embassy and also sent an inquiry through the NVC online inquiry. I hope to hear something soon. It's frustrating to have no information as to what is going on while the friends my fiancée made are getting their visas in hand in 3 or 4 days.
My fiancée called me today at 6 AM in tears.

[maryaaaaaaaaaaa 27]

She will get the packet soon. ☺️  Based on what I read on group chats there are consuls/windows that are known to process approvals faster and some are longer-a week or so. It seemed like she got to the one who’s slow. 

[top_secret 2,421]

On 10/12/2024 at 8:23 AM, top_secret said:

Some take longer.  A week is not uncommon.  4 to 6 weeks happens now and then.  It doesn't necessarily mean anything and no one knows why.

 

Same advice still holds true.  I'm sure it is very stressful to be left hanging like that that but there is no cause for concern yet.  Mysterious delays in visa issuance by US Embassy Manila happen with some regularity and everything still turns out to be fine. My own wild speculation is that maybe sometimes they want to authenticate some document with PSA or some other Philippine Government entity and obviously that would happen on Philippine time.  But that's just a guess.  It's probably impossible not to feel anxiety but it's still well within the broad range of what is "normal" for US Embassy Manila and nowhere near where you need to start worrying.  Hopefully it will be "issued" soon.

[WCF 16]

Thanks top_secret and mary for the words of support. 
The not knowing and lack of information is difficult for me, but really impacting my fiancée. 
I'm also getting a little anxious as her medical will expire and she has to enter the US by January 2nd. I am feeling the need to move on to the CFO and make plans.
Again, thank you.

[Edward and Jaycel 165]

6 minutes ago, WCF said:

Thanks top_secret and mary for the words of support. 
The not knowing and lack of information is difficult for me, but really impacting my fiancée. 
I'm also getting a little anxious as her medical will expire and she has to enter the US by January 2nd. I am feeling the need to move on to the CFO and make plans.
Again, thank you.

 

So sorry for you and your fiancee WCF... Unfortunately to even register for the CFO, you have to have the Visa number that's printed on the visa. You can't make an appointment without it. I will tell you that once we had Jaycel's visa, we were able to get the CFO-GCP appointment booked within 1 week. The one in Cebu had 18 appointment slots bookable for the morning session and the afternoon session (36 slots daily) every day except Fridays. 

[top_secret 2,421]

1 minute ago, WCF said:

Thanks top_secret and mary for the words of support. 
The not knowing and lack of information is difficult for me, but really impacting my fiancée. 
I'm also getting a little anxious as her medical will expire and she has to enter the US by January 2nd. I am feeling the need to move on to the CFO and make plans.
Again, thank you.

 

The embassy will probably issue the visa before long, but alas, they are highly unlikely to give you any useful information while you wait.

 

[maryaaaaaaaaaaa 27]

For now, start prepping the other documents required for the CFO. When the visa is on hand, scheduling should be smooth sailing. ⠀ Good luck! 

[78degrees 7]

@WCF I'm new here, read your post.  I'm in the same boat as your fiancée.  The difference is that my visa category is EB2 (employment-based).  I had my interview on 10/9 and was told that my visa is approved and to wait for a couple of weeks for my visa packet to be delivered.  It's been 2 long weeks but my CEAC status is still "ready" and the dates just keeps changing.

 

I tried to call the embassy, and all they could say was that they were working on my case since the dates had been updated five times since the interview date, and that all I needed to do was wait. My medical expiry is Dec 18.  🫣

 

Did you have any updates?