Edward and Jaycel

Second vote for this

Be aware that USCIS will no longer accept checks and money orders for payment of fees after October 28th, 2025

Here's a sample of one we put together for someone who Jaycel and I helped file their I-129F... Not to brag but they got a text with their receipt # less than 24 hours after it was received by USCIS (All personally Identifiable information changed to fictitional info)

Yes... She mentioned it as soon as she got sworn in and the CO thanked her for correcting the mistake and he approved her 3 minutes later

She forgot to include the student organization she was a member of in college on the question "Have you belonged to, contributed to, or worked for any professional, social or charitable organization?"

This is my opinion only... I do not think it will be an issue as long as she informs the Consular Officer about the mistake / misunderstanding the question as soon as she's sworn in for the interview. We had a minor issue on Jaycel's DS-160 and she mentioned it to the officer after he swore her in and he corrected it and thanked her for telling him right away.

Thank you for the detailed report! I agree that the electronic method for the FBI History Check is the best. I got my results back within an hour or two also.

If you haven't paid or scheduled the interview yet then there is no harm in doing a new DS-160... I thought you had already scheduled so that's why I recommended just correcting it at the interview but since that DS-160 receipt number is not tied to anything yet, doing a new one should be fine

Agree with @TBoneTX - We had a small error (about the same severity as yours) on Jaycel's DS-160 that we filled out for her Fiancée Visa and she let the Consular Officer know about it right after she was sworn in. No issue and the CO thanked her for bringing it up right away.

No one will care... They don't note who shows up other than the applicant

The DS-160 for the interview has to be the one that was used for the VAC appointment and that was associated with the interview confirmation. I would not have her do another one or they may not allow her into the interview. At this point I would have her just explain to the Consular Officer at the interview the mistake and let them handle it how they want to.

I would start inquiring after 90 days of no decision regardless of what the website says and involving your congress person and/or your senators at that point

Seems like it depends on the officer... We got one after our interview at the Denver FO but our friends who interviewed here 6 days after us with a different officer didn't get one

Oh that's great to know! Thank you for explaining that

Point taken... I did not look at the case type

Bank statements and a letter from the bank would suffice as proof. Just keep in mind that USCIS does not have to accept assets. A well qualified joint sponsor would be your best bet for clearing the sponsorship hurdle.

Is the property your primary residence? If so, USCIS will generally not allow it to be used as an asset.

Every case is different and is processed individually and comparing yourself to others who applied around the same time is an exercise in futility....

The average processing time to completion for 80% of cases in Newark is 7.5 months.... you are barely halfway through that timeline

This happens unfortunately.... Our friends here in Denver interviewed at the same field office as us, 6 days later on July 29th, and while we got the approval the day after our interview, they are still waiting a decision. Some officers are experienced enough to be allowed to approve most cases on their own (which I believe our officer was very experienced and may have even been a supervisor herself) and some have to get a supervisor to review it before approval is issued. So then you have to factor in how many cases are backlogged waiting that supervisor's review, it's the end of the most common time of year that people take vacations so was that supervisor on vacation? Lots of factors come into play there... I'm sorry it's taking so long for you guys. Keep the faith, it just has to work its way through the process.

Thank you for this great, detailed account of your experience!! and congrats again

Yeah.... Manila is a special beast when it comes to K-1 scheduling. We were so thankful that we got lucky finding that cancellation. It ended up working out perfectly that the appointment was 6 days after the medical exam we had already scheduled. Visa interview appointment scheduling is one of the more challenging aspects of this process.

We had the same issue in Manila.... We were checking every hour for over a week before we got lucky and grabbed an appointment that I believe was someone else's cancellation. Just be persistent

The website to register is https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/en/ On the home page, you will see "I need..." under that click on the button that says "An immigrant Visa". On the next page you will click on the green button at the top that says "Visa Login" and on the next page click on "Sign up now" This website is where you will register and payment instructions will be there - this website is also where you will schedule the biometrics and interview appointments

You need to go to this site and follow the instructions (Except where it says DS-260, for you guys it's the DS-160) The first paragraph gives you the website the embassy uses to register you for the biometrics and interview appointments. Payment instructions will be there. The website to register is https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/en/ On the home page, you will see "I need..." under that click on the button that says "An immigrant Visa". On the next page you will click on the green button at the top that says "Visa Login" and on the next page click on "Sign up now" This is the embassy site with all the interview instructions https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MNL-Manila.html