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dj1206

Approved (Manila!)

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Hello all,

I just wanted to give the good news in a post in this forum that J's K1 visa has been approved. She had her interview on Monday morning her time, or Sunday night my time, and it went very smoothly and quickly. We were expecting her to be at the embassy for many hours waiting, but she had gotten back home and had told me the good news by 9:46pm my time last night. We had both read horror stories about the Manila embassy and questions used to manipulate or confuse people, and also downright mean CO's. However, J gave me a description of her process yesterday as well as the questions she was asked, and nothing bad that I or she had heard or read on here and other places came true. I think the most interesting question they asked her that I didn't think to "rehearse" her on was when she was asked if I had told her about the difference in weather here versus there in the Phils. J of course said yes, because I've mentioned it gets a little cold here in the winters, especially cold to a Filipina! It's not as bad cold-wise as it is farther inland or up north, but it does get cold. They asked her a related question about snow, too, and she responded correctly that we don't get a lot of snow here on the coast of NC. It snows here maybe once every three years. Glad I already told her about the weather, I guess, since she was asked so much about it!!!

One thing that I think we've both taken from the interview process in Manila, at least, is to not over-prepare your packets. I don't know how many pounds J's final packets weighed (what I sent to her was 8lbs), but it was heavy. During her pre-interview time, they asked for her appt letter and various forms that she had filled out, plus my affadavit of support, my last W2, one letter from/to me, one email to/from me, one card, and five photos. We'll just say that 95% of the papers she brought with her from various packets were never needed. But that doesn't mean that everyone just needs to bring only one of each item. I believe she brought roughly 100 pictures of us together. I think the CO was already largely convinced based on the evidence I sent with my original submission, so not a lot was required except newer more recent materials.

The CO was described as a younger lady, first name Clara, approximately 30 years old, who was likely a Protestant Christian because she seemed happy to hear that J and I were not Catholic during the interview.

The questions J indicated she was asked were:

What is my age? Where did we meet? Where and when did J first see me in person? When was my last trip to the Philippines? Why did she choose to chat with me? They appear to have asked her again, how old I am. Then they asked how old she is. How many visits have I made to RP? What state am I from? Did D tell you about the weather where he lives? Snow? Tell me a little about your fiancé.

After those were answered, the lady basically said "That's about it" and then said to sit back down and wait for her priority number to be called again, if they need to see more docs, she'd be asked asked again. If not, they will give you a slip for Delbros window/fee. Her number was posted and she got a pink slip and the pictures, letter, card, email were returned to her. J paid her Delbros fee and was told 1-3 business days before she receives her passport with the Visa attached. They also told her via the slip, I believe, not to make travel plans before having the visa in hand.

Anyway, that's the bulk of the interview story for Manila. Thank God we are approved!!!!

D

D&J

05-26-2006: Engaged!!

DHS/USCIS - I-129F

02-26-2007: Petition Mailed to TSC via Express Mail

03-06-2007: NOA1 "Notice"

03-07-2007: Check cashed (posted 03-12-2007)

03-12-2007: NOA1 Received in Mail from CSC

06-11-2007: NOA2 Received in Mail from CSC

NVC

06-22-2007: NVC Received Case

06-26-2007: NVC Sent to Manila Embassy (got DOS Case #)

07-02-2007: Received Letter from NVC, dated June 27, 2007

USE-Manila

06-26-2007: USE received case electronically

07-05-2007: USE received hard copy of case from NVC

07-31-2007: J receivied Packet 4

08-16/17-2007: J did early Medical Review at St. Luke's

09-10-2007: Interview Approved!

09-14-2007: Visa in HAND!!

02/21/2008: USA Arrival

03/29/2008: Wedding!

05/12/2008: Mailed AOS via Express Mail

05/21/2008: Check clears our bank account

05/22/2008: Touch on all three apps

05/23/2008: NOA1 for AOS, EAD, and AP arrives from MSC (notice date 5/19/08)

05/24/2008: Received Biometrics Appt. Letter

06/16/2008: Biometrics Appt. at Durham Office

06/17/2008: EAD & AOS touched

07/21/2008: AP "Approval Notice Sent" & EAD "Card Production Ordered" via CRIS Email

07/25/2008: 2 copies of AP approval form received in snail mail, dated 7/21/08

07/28/2008: EAD Card arrives in mail; CRIS email sent I765 (EAD) "Approval Notice Sent"

11/25/2008: Received Appt. Letter dated 11/18/2008 (Appt. is 1/13/09)

01/13/2009: AOS Interview approved

01/20/2009: AOS Approval Notice received

01/23/2009: 2-year Green Card received

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Congratulations! Glad to see another filipina on her way to the US!!! :dance:

IR-1

Immigration Process

2007-02-22 **I-130 Sent to VSC

2007-07-02 **I-130 APPROVED at USCIS- CSC

2007-10-10 **CASE COMPLETED at NVC

2007-11-15 **INTERVIEW DATE. APPROVED at USEM!!!

USA

2007-12-02 **Arrival from MNL to JFK (NYC)

2007-12-10 **Visit to SSA

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Congratulations. Looks like you were prepared! :)

Nini - Vancouver BC, Canada (she's the one who does the forum thing)

Bee - Devon PA, USA (he's the one who gave her the shiny ring)

Getting our sanity tested by bureaucracy since 2007.

Here we go again...

Removal of conditions @ VSC

9/4/2010 - sent!

9/14/2010 - NOA

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
Timeline

Congratulations!

This is truly a relief to us - (who havent had our interview yet)..

I hope you can post this too in our regional discussion, so other applicants will be aware for this another good news..

thanks ..

cheers!

alexandra

Dong & Dang

12/28/2007.....Sent Packet for AOS application

12/29/2007.....USCIS Chicago received our AOS Packet

01/22/2008.....Date of two NOA1 (I-797C) for I-765-EAD & I-131-Application for Travel Document

[Received in mail last 01/26/07]

01/24/2008.....USCIS Chicago encashed our checks

01/28/2008.....Received NOA1 for I-485 though notice, dated 01/22/2008

01/30/2008.....Received Biometrics schedule, Notice date 01/25/2008

02/15/2008.....Biometrics Schedule

02/20/2008.....Confirmation of receipt of RFE (source:USCIS case online update)

02/21/2008.....touched

03/03/2008.....Issued I-512L, Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United States

03/06/2008.....Issued EAD Card (Employment Authorization)

04/23/2008.....Received Interview Schedule

06/11/2008.....Interview Schedule - Phoenix, AZ

06/14/2008.....Received Notice for the Approval of AOS Application

06/16/2008.....Received Green Card.

www.annie-thejourney.com

www.unforgettable-weddings.com

www.gorgeous-mommy.com

www.churvah.com

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Congratulations! Glad to see another filipina on her way to the US!!! :dance:

ditto. Congrats :thumbs:

US Embassy Manila website. bringing your spouse/fiancee to USA

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3204.html

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

thanks for the detailed descriptions! congratulations! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Mid-June filer, Mid-July NOA1 :(...

6/21/07 - I-129F Sent : transferred to CSC at some point...

7/12/07 - Received date as shown on NOA1 Hardcopy

7/18/07 - NOA1

7/21/07 - Check FINALLY Cashed!!!

7/24/07 - Finally got receipt number off the back of cancelled check!

11/23/07 - Our first ever touch!

11/27/07 - Touched on website

11/28/07 - NOA2!!!!!!!!

I-129f was approved in 160 days from your filing date.

12/21/07 - Received at NVC and assigned case number!

12/27/07 - Case forwarded to USEM

01/04/07 - Case received by USEM

02/25/08 - Scheduled St. Luke's Medical Appointment 7:00 AM

03/03/08 - Interview at USEM APPROVED

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

dj1206,

Congratulations to you both! And thank you for sharing with us your fiancee's positive experience at the Embassy for her interview.

K-1 VISA

02/01/2008 Re-filed and sent I-129F to CSC via FedEx (this time assembling the petition on our own with help from our VJ Family)

02/04/2008 Received by USCIS CSC (signed for by N. La Barrie)

02/06/2008 Touched - USCIS notifies us of Withdrawal for 1st I-129F

02/27/2008 Received NOA1 / Check Encashed

06/09/2008 Received RFE Notice via Email/USCIS Website

06/11/2008 Received RFE Notice & Instructions via Mail

06/12/2008 Sent Reply to RFE via US Postal Service with Return Card

06/19/2008 Received Return Card Receipt from US Postal Service for Reply to RFE

06/25/2008 Touched

06/30/2008 Touched

06/30/2008 NOA2

07/10/2008 NVC sends Case to US Embassy, Manila

07/17/2008 Date of Confirmation Letter from USEM

07/24/2008 Receipt of Confirmation Letter via Air 21

07/29/2008 Called USEM to set Interview Date. Interview on Sept 2, 2008

07/29/2008 Paid DV Fee

08/01/2008 DV received by NSO

08/19-20/2008 Medical - PASSED

09/02/2008 Interview PASSED

09/29/2008 Visa Received

10/02/2008 Flight to LAX

10/15/2008 Wedding

AOS

12/18/2008 Filed I-485 & I-765

12/26/2008 Received by USCIS Lockbox Facility

12/31/2008 NOA1

01/13/2009 Request for Initial Evidence

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Several members with Filipino fiances seems to have been approved yesterday! Congratulations to all of you :thumbs: it is such a wonderful feeling. :dance:

usa_fl_sm_nwm.gifphilippines_fl_md_clr.gif

United States & Republic of the Philippines

"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." John Wayne

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Yeah, it is a wonderful feeling having our SO's approved! What a weight off our minds till AOS time!!! Just wish J could be here right now, coz it's boring without her with me.

D

D&J

05-26-2006: Engaged!!

DHS/USCIS - I-129F

02-26-2007: Petition Mailed to TSC via Express Mail

03-06-2007: NOA1 "Notice"

03-07-2007: Check cashed (posted 03-12-2007)

03-12-2007: NOA1 Received in Mail from CSC

06-11-2007: NOA2 Received in Mail from CSC

NVC

06-22-2007: NVC Received Case

06-26-2007: NVC Sent to Manila Embassy (got DOS Case #)

07-02-2007: Received Letter from NVC, dated June 27, 2007

USE-Manila

06-26-2007: USE received case electronically

07-05-2007: USE received hard copy of case from NVC

07-31-2007: J receivied Packet 4

08-16/17-2007: J did early Medical Review at St. Luke's

09-10-2007: Interview Approved!

09-14-2007: Visa in HAND!!

02/21/2008: USA Arrival

03/29/2008: Wedding!

05/12/2008: Mailed AOS via Express Mail

05/21/2008: Check clears our bank account

05/22/2008: Touch on all three apps

05/23/2008: NOA1 for AOS, EAD, and AP arrives from MSC (notice date 5/19/08)

05/24/2008: Received Biometrics Appt. Letter

06/16/2008: Biometrics Appt. at Durham Office

06/17/2008: EAD & AOS touched

07/21/2008: AP "Approval Notice Sent" & EAD "Card Production Ordered" via CRIS Email

07/25/2008: 2 copies of AP approval form received in snail mail, dated 7/21/08

07/28/2008: EAD Card arrives in mail; CRIS email sent I765 (EAD) "Approval Notice Sent"

11/25/2008: Received Appt. Letter dated 11/18/2008 (Appt. is 1/13/09)

01/13/2009: AOS Interview approved

01/20/2009: AOS Approval Notice received

01/23/2009: 2-year Green Card received

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Congatulations on the approval and thanks again for sharing the interview information!!

Naturalization

3/23/14 - N400 package sent to Phoenix

3/27/14 - N400 package delivered

4/3/14 - NOA1 receipt date

4/4/14 - check cashed

04/29/14 - biometrics date

07/01/14 - interview date

xx/xx/xx - Oath Ceremony

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