December 2010 Manila Embassy Interview Thread

[Messybrownhair 251]

we also want to schedule it for december. any luck?

[Tahoma 2,291]

we also want to schedule it for december. any luck?

None of the K-1ers is having any luck scheduling their interview right now. All they can do is to keep trying.

[Messybrownhair 251]

Tim just called right now. they said for sure we can schedule next week!

[BB & MJ 3]

Tim just called right now. they said for sure we can schedule next week!

If this is true, that's awesome news! Thnx for sharing! I'm going to try again Sunday evening (Pacific Time) and see what happens. It would be a TRULY Happy Thanksgiving next week if we all are able to schedule a date! Good luck everyone!!

[Messybrownhair 251]

Oh and the person said to actually try wednesday-friday next week to schedule for december, but it wouldn't hurt to start calling on monday update me too! were hoping for dec 13-17

[BB & MJ 3]

Oh and the person said to actually try wednesday-friday next week to schedule for december, but it wouldn't hurt to start calling on monday update me too! were hoping for dec 13-17

Thanks for the heads up Messy! I really hope it's true. I almost forgot that we could call even on Thanksgiving Thursday next week. Philippines does not observe the holiday which means we can call (hope I'm right). Anyways, we'll be shooting for a Dec. 16, 17 interview date. I will be arriving on the 12th, gives us a little time to prepare.

[Tahoma 2,291]

Tim just called right now. they said for sure we can schedule next week!

If this is true, that's awesome news! Thnx for sharing! I'm going to try again Sunday evening (Pacific Time) and see what happens. It would be a TRULY Happy Thanksgiving next week if we all are able to schedule a date! Good luck everyone!!

Oh and the person said to actually try wednesday-friday next week to schedule for december, but it wouldn't hurt to start calling on monday update me too! were hoping for dec 13-17

Thanks for the heads up Messy! I really hope it's true. I almost forgot that we could call even on Thanksgiving Thursday next week. Philippines does not observe the holiday which means we can call (hope I'm right). Anyways, we'll be shooting for a Dec. 16, 17 interview date. I will be arriving on the 12th, gives us a little time to prepare.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

[Walter & Meg 0]

Has anyone's Fiancee received their notification from the Embassy ? Just for the heck of it, I had my fiancee go to the BPI bank in Cagayan De Oro on Mindanao, and the manager did not know what she was talking about paying the MRV fee. You would think that BPI banks would know about the new system by now. So maybe any BPI bank in Manila

[BB & MJ 3]

Has anyone's Fiancee received their notification from the Embassy ? Just for the heck of it, I had my fiancee go to the BPI bank in Cagayan De Oro on Mindanao, and the manager did not know what she was talking about paying the MRV fee. You would think that BPI banks would know about the new system by now. So maybe any BPI bank in Manila

Wbuchko, I can only assume that since the the new Appt system does not start until December 1st, BPI will not accept any payments yet. The Manila website has not posted any new information other than what Tahoma posted in this thread. We are still in the OLD system so try calling the Embassy next week. Messybrown hair reported that they "might be" opening slots for December. Good luck my friend!

[Tahoma 2,291]

I just now sent this email to the U.S. Embassy Manila:

Immigrant Visa Unit,

I am writing to you for information for myself and on behalf of several K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petitioners and beneficiaries whose application packets have been approved by the USCIS. These same application packets have been forwarded by the National Visa Center to the United States Embassy Manila, and were received by the Embassy some time ago.

The issue in question is regarding booking interview appointments: none of the petitioners, nor their beneficiaries, have been allowed to schedule an interview appointment. When they talk to the Embassy's call center, they are told that they will not be able to book an appointment until "maybe" the end of next week (November 26?). When they attempt to book an interview appointment at the Immigrant Visa Unit, they are told to call the Embassy's call center.

These K-1 Fiancé(e) visa applicants desire to book an interview appointment before the transition takes place on December 1. They hope to complete their interviews sometime in December 2010 or January 2011. One petitioner has already made travel plans which will necessitate that his beneficiary complete her interview on or about December 15.

According to an announcement on the Embassy's website, the U.S. Department of State is transitioning to a new contracting system for visa services on December 1, 2010. This transition is already affecting K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petitioners and their beneficiaries because they not only continue to wait for booking, but also because they have purchased $18 PINs which stand to go to waste if they are not allowed to book an interview appointment before November 30, 2010.

The following is taken directly from the transition announcement on the Embassy's website:

"Applicants who purchased PINs from VisaPoint™ and the call center are highly encouraged to book an interview appointment before the changes take place. MRV fee payments will remain valid for one year; however, VisaPoint™ and call center PINs will be rendered invalid when the new procedures are implemented."

On the one hand, the Embassy is encouraging applicants who have already purchased PINs to book an interview appointment before the transition takes place. On the other hand, neither the Embassy nor their call center are booking interview appointments for those who are qualified to book an interview appointment and who have repeatedly attempted to book an interview appointment.

Our question is this: Which day(s) before the end of November will either the Embassy's call center, or the Immigrant Visa Unit itself, allow appointments to be scheduled? Since there are a limited number of days left in November to book appointments, it makes it all that much more important for the embassy to disclose this information as soon as possible.

There are five potential business days next week: Monday, November 22 through Friday, November 26. Will the Embassy call center (or the Immigrant Visa Unit) be booking interview appointments on any (or all) of those days, including Thanksgiving?

Then there is Monday, November 29. This is presumably the last day that any K-1 applicant could book an interview appointment before the transition, since Tuesday, November 30, is the last business day of the month and, according to your web site, there is no booking done on the last business day of every month. Will booking be done on Monday, November 29?

We would appreciate a prompt and detailed response to our concerns. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Regards,

[BB & MJ 3]

I just now sent this email to the U.S. Embassy Manila:

Immigrant Visa Unit,

I am writing to you for information for myself and on behalf of several K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petitioners and beneficiaries whose application packets have been approved by the USCIS. These same application packets have been forwarded by the National Visa Center to the United States Embassy Manila, and were received by the Embassy some time ago.

The issue in question is regarding booking interview appointments: none of the petitioners, nor their beneficiaries, have been allowed to schedule an interview appointment. When they talk to the Embassy's call center, they are told that they will not be able to book an appointment until "maybe" the end of next week (November 26?). When they attempt to book an interview appointment at the Immigrant Visa Unit, they are told to call the Embassy's call center.

These K-1 Fiancé(e) visa applicants desire to book an interview appointment before the transition takes place on December 1. They hope to complete their interviews sometime in December 2010 or January 2011. One petitioner has already made travel plans which will necessitate that his beneficiary complete her interview on or about December 15.

According to an announcement on the Embassy's website, the U.S. Department of State is transitioning to a new contracting system for visa services on December 1, 2010. This transition is already affecting K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petitioners and their beneficiaries because they not only continue to wait for booking, but also because they have purchased $18 PINs which stand to go to waste if they are not allowed to book an interview appointment before November 30, 2010.

The following is taken directly from the transition announcement on the Embassy's website:

"Applicants who purchased PINs from VisaPoint™ and the call center are highly encouraged to book an interview appointment before the changes take place. MRV fee payments will remain valid for one year; however, VisaPoint™ and call center PINs will be rendered invalid when the new procedures are implemented."

On the one hand, the Embassy is encouraging applicants who have already purchased PINs to book an interview appointment before the transition takes place. On the other hand, neither the Embassy nor their call center are booking interview appointments for those who are qualified to book an interview appointment and who have repeatedly attempted to book an interview appointment.

Our question is this: Which day(s) before the end of November will either the Embassy's call center, or the Immigrant Visa Unit itself, allow appointments to be scheduled? Since there are a limited number of days left in November to book appointments, it makes it all that much more important for the embassy to disclose this information as soon as possible.

There are five potential business days next week: Monday, November 22 through Friday, November 26. Will the Embassy call center (or the Immigrant Visa Unit) be booking interview appointments on any (or all) of those days, including Thanksgiving?

Then there is Monday, November 29. This is presumably the last day that any K-1 applicant could book an interview appointment before the transition, since Tuesday, November 30, is the last business day of the month and, according to your web site, there is no booking done on the last business day of every month. Will booking be done on Monday, November 29?

We would appreciate a prompt and detailed response to our concerns. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Regards,

Tahoma, I couldn't have written this out any better. Even if you're not in the same boat as most of us, you've always been willing to help everyone out. You are truly a great asset to everyone on VJ (and beyond). I can speak for EVERYONE here, thanks for all that you do my friend. Please keep us updated as usual. I'll give it another try on Sunday......

[BigJohn 4]

What is the embassy # you are calling to get your appointment? i need to call next week

[DAAG 1]

That's great news!

The medical was the biggest worry for Chinook and me. The interview is much easier and quicker.

[Tahoma 2,291]

What is the embassy # you are calling to get your appointment? i need to call next week

The Embassy call center's phone number from the U.S.: 1-888-877-9888

The Embassy call center's phone number from the Philippines: 1-909-101-7878

[Tahoma 2,291]

Tahoma, I couldn't have written this out any better. Even if you're not in the same boat as most of us, you've always been willing to help everyone out. You are truly a great asset to everyone on VJ (and beyond). I can speak for EVERYONE here, thanks for all that you do my friend. Please keep us updated as usual. I'll give it another try on Sunday......

Maraming walang anuman po.

I will keep you posted regarding any communication from the Embassy.