NVC to US Embassy in Manila

[F&R 4]

Hi all,

According to NVC my application was sent to the embassy since April 30 but up until today the embassy keeps saying that they have not received it. Does anybody know how long it usually takes since the application leaves NVC until the embassy acknowledges they received it ? I am stressing out because it seems that nobody knows where the application is.

I will appreciate any information. Thanks

[Hank_ 9,172]

Ya know I never checked with the embassy to see if they received the petition package from NVC, I only checked with NVC for our MNL #. Once we had the MNL # it was rock 'n' roll time; got the visa fee paid at BPI, scheduled the interview then off to SLEC.

For the NVC:

Check on your embassy case number:

Give them 7 - 10 days after receiving the NOA2 before calling. Call after 4:45 PM eastern time for shorter wait times K1's are not tracked through the AVR, ever. They are processed like an immigrant visa, but they are NOT immigrant visas, so they fall into a completely different class of their own. Therefore you need an operator. To get there:

1-603-334-0700 Operator assistance is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 12:00 AM (Eastern Time)

Press 1 for English
Press 5 for an operator

NVC CONTACT INFORMATION:

Website: www.immigrantvisas.state.govwww.immigrantvisas.state.gov

E-mail: NVCInquiry@state.gov (I found NVC to be very quick responding to emails)

REQUIRED SECURITY INFORMATION:

You are required to provide the following security information with each inquiry to receive a case specific response:

* NVC Case Number or USCIS Receipt Number (Place in the subject line of the e-mail).
* Petitioner's name and date of birth.
( NOTE: If the visa petition is employment-based, include the employer's company/organization name instead of the petitioner's name and date of birth. )
* Principal Applicant's name and date of birth.

LETTER FROM NVC WITH MANILA NUMBER

When you get the letter from NVC stating the MNL # , scan and email a copy to your fiancee to bring to St. Luke's

Manila Embassy:

NOW THAT YOU HAVE YOUR MNL # (don't need to wait for the letter from the embassy )

(NOTE: When getting NSO certified copies of your Birth Certificate get a few extra copies for bringing to the States with you. You will need them from time to time)

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3023.html

Once you have your MNL # :

You can pay your nonimmigrant visa application fee with cash or debit card at any Bank of Philippine Islands. Before going to the bank, you must print the applicable U.S. visa application deposit slip available below on this page. Take the printed deposit slip with you to pay your fee. If you print a deposit slip in advance of the day in which you plan to make your payment, please take note of the expiration date on the deposit slip. If the expiration date passes prior to using the slip to make your payment, simply return to this site and re-click the appropriate link below to generate a new deposit slip. Bank agents will NOT accept payments based on expired deposit slips. Upon receiving of your payment, bank will issue you a receipt. Save your receipt. It cannot be replaced if it is lost. You will not be able to schedule an appointment without your receipt number.

http://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-paymentinfo.asp

Select the deposit slip that matches your visa application fee from the list below. Values are shown in U.S. dollars and native currency. This page has more information about the different visa application fees. (you may have to change the border from .75 to .25 for printing for it all to print on one page, also some have been asked at BPI for three copies of the deposit receipt, why I don't know)

http://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visafeeinfo.asp

For K-1 the fee is $240

After you have paid the visa application fee, keep the BANK receipt for your records. It cannot be replaced if it is lost. You will not be able to schedule an appointment without your receipt number.

If you have an account with either Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) or BancNet you may choose to pay your visa application fee online using their online bill pay services. Click on either of the links below if you are a BPI or BancNet customer and wish to make an online payment.

If you are paying for more than one applicant, please DO NOT make a lump sum payment for all the applicants. A UID/receipt number is required for each visa application fee payment for EACH applicant for scheduling an appointment. After you have paid the visa application fee, please keep the fee receipt for your records.

Receipt Format

Note: If you have a Bank of Philippine Islands receipt, your fee receipt number should be your passport number. If something other than your passport number appears in the circled area on the graphic, use that information as your receipt number. This receipt number verifies your payment and allows you to schedule your visa interview When scheduling online with the embassy you need to use the receipt number as shown on the payment receipt from BPI. You can schedule the interview online or by calling the numbers listed below.

Once you have registered you can then schedule the interview. https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/

Priorty Date; this is the date the NOA 1 was received. You will not find the priority date entered on the NOA2, you will only find it on the email/letter from NVC when you get your MNL #.

Make sure to print three copies of the interview confirmation letter/page (if you scheduled online) as you will need two for St. Luke's and the other for the embassy.

(open all of these links then save them to your bookmarks so you have them for easy access)

Embassy Letter: (This is the Instruction Letter from the Embassy - you need to complete everything listed here)

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3224.html

In English: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction_rtf2_002.pdf

In Tagalog: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/K1instructionTag%20rtf3%20_2__rtf2_013.pdf

(The DS-156 can be difficult to complete sometimes, if you have issues try a different browser.)

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/

Information for meeting the Poverty Guidelines and using additional assets (it may be referring to the I-864 but its valid for the I-134 also):

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3183.html#22

Poverty Guidelines: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

Embassy (Manila) Phone Number (and email)

(632) 301-2000, extension 5184 or 5185 (local number: USEM 301-2000 loc 5184/5185 call them around 3-4:30pm)

** (214) 571-1600 or (646) 254-3546 (these are USA numbers)

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

In order to serve our visa applicants more efficiently, we have created this new e-mail address: IVMNLAppointments@state.gov , for early appointment requests and visa scheduling issues. Please note, however, that early appointment requests will be approved on a case to case basis (i.e., aging out cases, or in cases involving personal or medical emergencies), and only if visa interview slots are available.

For other immigrant and K visa concerns, please send an e-mail to IVManilaReplies@state.gov
.
To enable us to electronically sort the messages and provide better, more timely responses, you should follow the instructions below.
The subject line of your email should indicate the visa applicant’s last name, first and middle name (ex. DOE, John James), case number/USCIS receipt number, visa category and priority date.

Messages should be limited to 500 characters or less. The mail size should not be more than 15 KB.
Do not submit documentation or attachments with your message as our system is unable to receive inquiries with attachments.
Do not send your inquiry more than once as duplicate inquiries will congest our system and delay our response time.

IN A HURRY? Pick up your visa at MOA! -> -> http://blogs.usembassy.gov/philippines/?p=1533

************ INTERVIEW DAY: Remember no electronics are allowed in the embassy; no cell phones, no cameras, no memory stiks. And no food. **************

***

St. Luke's:

(GUYS if you are in the Phils with your Fiancee before the medical NO "personal" contact until AFTER St. Luke's is completed - as in KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS)

http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs

Have copies of passport bio page, copy of NVC letter when MNL# is assigned (I added this as SLEC has been asking for this letter or a letter from the embassy that lists the assigned MNL #) confirmation page from scheduling interview online at embassy (or if the embassy mails a confirmation letter bring a copy of that) (NVC Instructions Letter is for IR/CR-1 visa), and of course the 2X2 photos. (copy of annulment is asked for at times)

PREREGISTER at St. Luke's website, it saves time when you arrive. http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

Information from the embassy about the medical: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3218.html

***

CFO:

ALL exiting required to attend. There have been changes regarding CFO so for sure read through their website.

Update: Please check the schedule of the counseling session before proceeding to CFO because it is country-specific and the slots are limited only to 15 per session (two sessions per day) for Manila and 12 per session (only one session a day) for Cebu. It is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

CFO Online Registration Form: http://www.cfo.gov.ph/pdf/downloadable%20forms/registrationform.pdf Complete this and print a couple copies to bring to the CFO seminar, it will save you time.

http://www.philembassy.no/sites/default/files/downloads/new_gcp_flyer.pdf

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140

Required documents & "OTHER DOCUMENTS" they ask for at CFO: originals & copies of; CENOMAR (CEMAR and marriage certificate if married), certified birth certificate. Passport and copies of bio page of passport, visa page from passport, pictures together. From USC (copies of) - bio page of passport, birth certificate, divorce decree (if been married before) are the most common requests. The "other documents" clause can be ANYTHING with those nit-wits at CFO.

** From the Family Code of the Philippines: it's 21-25 years old for advice and 18-21 years old for consent. (Some are posted on VJ that they were not asked for this, yet others have been asked, so be prepared)

Edited May 13, 2013 by Hank_

[F&R 4]

Ya know I never checked with the embassy to see if they received the petition package from NVC, I only checked with NVC for our MNL #. Once we had the MNL # it was rock 'n' roll time; got the visa fee paid at BPI, scheduled the interview then off to SLEC.

For the NVC:

Check on your embassy case number:

Give them 7 - 10 days after receiving the NOA2 before calling. Call after 4:45 PM eastern time for shorter wait times K1's are not tracked through the AVR, ever. They are processed like an immigrant visa, but they are NOT immigrant visas, so they fall into a completely different class of their own. Therefore you need an operator. To get there:

1-603-334-0700 Operator assistance is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 12:00 AM (Eastern Time)

Press 1 for English

Press 5 for an operator

NVC CONTACT INFORMATION:

Website: www.immigrantvisas.state.govwww.immigrantvisas.state.gov

E-mail: NVCInquiry@state.gov (I found NVC to be very quick responding to emails)

REQUIRED SECURITY INFORMATION:

You are required to provide the following security information with each inquiry to receive a case specific response:

* NVC Case Number or USCIS Receipt Number (Place in the subject line of the e-mail).

* Petitioner's name and date of birth.

( NOTE: If the visa petition is employment-based, include the employer's company/organization name instead of the petitioner's name and date of birth. )

* Principal Applicant's name and date of birth.

LETTER FROM NVC WITH MANILA NUMBER

When you get the letter from NVC stating the MNL # , scan and email a copy to your fiancee to bring to St. Luke's

Manila Embassy:

NOW THAT YOU HAVE YOUR MNL # (don't need to wait for the letter from the embassy )

(NOTE: When getting NSO certified copies of your Birth Certificate get a few extra copies for bringing to the States with you. You will need them from time to time)

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3023.html

Once you have your MNL # :

You can pay your nonimmigrant visa application fee with cash or debit card at any Bank of Philippine Islands. Before going to the bank, you must print the applicable U.S. visa application deposit slip available below on this page. Take the printed deposit slip with you to pay your fee. If you print a deposit slip in advance of the day in which you plan to make your payment, please take note of the expiration date on the deposit slip. If the expiration date passes prior to using the slip to make your payment, simply return to this site and re-click the appropriate link below to generate a new deposit slip. Bank agents will NOT accept payments based on expired deposit slips. Upon receiving of your payment, bank will issue you a receipt. Save your receipt. It cannot be replaced if it is lost. You will not be able to schedule an appointment without your receipt number.

http://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-paymentinfo.asp

Select the deposit slip that matches your visa application fee from the list below. Values are shown in U.S. dollars and native currency. This page has more information about the different visa application fees. (you may have to change the border from .75 to .25 for printing for it all to print on one page, also some have been asked at BPI for three copies of the deposit receipt, why I don't know)

http://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visafeeinfo.asp

For K-1 the fee is $240

After you have paid the visa application fee, keep the BANK receipt for your records. It cannot be replaced if it is lost. You will not be able to schedule an appointment without your receipt number.

If you have an account with either Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) or BancNet you may choose to pay your visa application fee online using their online bill pay services. Click on either of the links below if you are a BPI or BancNet customer and wish to make an online payment.

If you are paying for more than one applicant, please DO NOT make a lump sum payment for all the applicants. A UID/receipt number is required for each visa application fee payment for EACH applicant for scheduling an appointment. After you have paid the visa application fee, please keep the fee receipt for your records.

Receipt Format

Note: If you have a Bank of Philippine Islands receipt, your fee receipt number should be your passport number. If something other than your passport number appears in the circled area on the graphic, use that information as your receipt number. This receipt number verifies your payment and allows you to schedule your visa interview When scheduling online with the embassy you need to use the receipt number as shown on the payment receipt from BPI. You can schedule the interview online or by calling the numbers listed below.

Once you have registered you can then schedule the interview. https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/

Priorty Date; this is the date the NOA 1 was received. You will not find the priority date entered on the NOA2, you will only find it on the email/letter from NVC when you get your MNL #.

Make sure to print three copies of the interview confirmation letter/page (if you scheduled online) as you will need two for St. Luke's and the other for the embassy.

(open all of these links then save them to your bookmarks so you have them for easy access)

Embassy Letter: (This is the Instruction Letter from the Embassy - you need to complete everything listed here)

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3224.html

In English: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction_rtf2_002.pdf

In Tagalog: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/K1instructionTag%20rtf3%20_2__rtf2_013.pdf

(The DS-156 can be difficult to complete sometimes, if you have issues try a different browser.)

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/

Information for meeting the Poverty Guidelines and using additional assets (it may be referring to the I-864 but its valid for the I-134 also):

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3183.html#22

Poverty Guidelines: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

Embassy (Manila) Phone Number (and email)

(632) 301-2000, extension 5184 or 5185 (local number: USEM 301-2000 loc 5184/5185 call them around 3-4:30pm)

** (214) 571-1600 or (646) 254-3546 (these are USA numbers)

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

In order to serve our visa applicants more efficiently, we have created this new e-mail address: IVMNLAppointments@state.gov , for early appointment requests and visa scheduling issues. Please note, however, that early appointment requests will be approved on a case to case basis (i.e., aging out cases, or in cases involving personal or medical emergencies), and only if visa interview slots are available.

For other immigrant and K visa concerns, please send an e-mail to IVManilaReplies@state.gov

.

To enable us to electronically sort the messages and provide better, more timely responses, you should follow the instructions below.

The subject line of your email should indicate the visa applicant’s last name, first and middle name (ex. DOE, John James), case number/USCIS receipt number, visa category and priority date.

Messages should be limited to 500 characters or less. The mail size should not be more than 15 KB.

Do not submit documentation or attachments with your message as our system is unable to receive inquiries with attachments.

Do not send your inquiry more than once as duplicate inquiries will congest our system and delay our response time.

IN A HURRY? Pick up your visa at MOA! -> -> http://blogs.usembassy.gov/philippines/?p=1533

************ INTERVIEW DAY: Remember no electronics are allowed in the embassy; no cell phones, no cameras, no memory stiks. And no food. **************

***

St. Luke's:

(GUYS if you are in the Phils with your Fiancee before the medical NO "personal" contact until AFTER St. Luke's is completed - as in KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS)

http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs

Have copies of passport bio page, copy of NVC letter when MNL# is assigned (I added this as SLEC has been asking for this letter or a letter from the embassy that lists the assigned MNL #) confirmation page from scheduling interview online at embassy (or if the embassy mails a confirmation letter bring a copy of that) (NVC Instructions Letter is for IR/CR-1 visa), and of course the 2X2 photos. (copy of annulment is asked for at times)

PREREGISTER at St. Luke's website, it saves time when you arrive. http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

Information from the embassy about the medical: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3218.html

***

CFO:

ALL exiting required to attend. There have been changes regarding CFO so for sure read through their website.

Update: Please check the schedule of the counseling session before proceeding to CFO because it is country-specific and the slots are limited only to 15 per session (two sessions per day) for Manila and 12 per session (only one session a day) for Cebu. It is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

CFO Online Registration Form: http://www.cfo.gov.ph/pdf/downloadable%20forms/registrationform.pdf Complete this and print a couple copies to bring to the CFO seminar, it will save you time.

http://www.philembassy.no/sites/default/files/downloads/new_gcp_flyer.pdf

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140

Required documents & "OTHER DOCUMENTS" they ask for at CFO: originals & copies of; CENOMAR (CEMAR and marriage certificate if married), certified birth certificate. Passport and copies of bio page of passport, visa page from passport, pictures together. From USC (copies of) - bio page of passport, birth certificate, divorce decree (if been married before) are the most common requests. The "other documents" clause can be ANYTHING with those nit-wits at CFO.

** From the Family Code of the Philippines: it's 21-25 years old for advice and 18-21 years old for consent. (Some are posted on VJ that they were not asked for this, yet others have been asked, so be prepared)

I have my MNL#, I paid the visa fee ($240), I have all the documents needed for the interview, and I even scheduled an interview appointment for May 28 but I am worried that I will have to rescheduled because they don't have the approved application yet.

[Hank_ 9,172]

If you have your MNL # the embassy has the file in their computers (as its the embassy that actually issues the number) and I doubt there will be any issue with the physical file arriving by your interview date. If you have everything ready, I would say relax ... maybe get CFO done so you only need the sticker after receiving the visa.

[Mrs.Presson 16]

I have my MNL#, I paid the visa fee ($240), I have all the documents needed for the interview, and I even scheduled an interview appointment for May 28 but I am worried that I will have to rescheduled because they don't have the approved application yet.

Track your case here! https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

Just choose "Immigrant visa" and input your MNL Case Number.

There are 3 possible results: "At NVC", "In Transit" and "Ready" (Meaning it has been received in USEM.)

Good luck!

[Mrs.Presson 16]

I have my MNL#, I paid the visa fee ($240), I have all the documents needed for the interview, and I even scheduled an interview appointment for May 28 but I am worried that I will have to rescheduled because they don't have the approved application yet.

Track your case here! https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

Just choose "Immigrant visa" and input your MNL Case Number.

There are 3 possible results: "At NVC", "In Transit" and "Ready" (Meaning it has been received in USEM.)

Good luck!

[F&R 4]

Track your case here! https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

Just choose "Immigrant visa" and input your MNL Case Number.

There are 3 possible results: "At NVC", "In Transit" and "Ready" (Meaning it has been received in USEM.)

Good luck!

Thank you.. that gives me peace of mind, it already says "Ready".

[waitingtoyou 0]

I cannot track my case if its already in the embassy..it says application error..

[Hank_ 9,172]

Do you have your MNL # ? Did you schedule your interview?

[timk 1]

Hi everyone,

I am thoroughly confused at this point in the journey.......

The NVC online, says that our status is "ready". We have our MNL case number. I called NVC today, and was told that they sent out the notice to the Manila embassy roughly 3 weeks ago. The Embassy, is telling me that they still have not received the "applicants case file". My fiance has not received anything from the Embassy, and 3 weeks seems like a long time for them to not receive anything.

If I am understanding correctly, are some of you saying to hell with waiting for the Embassy to deliver the package for scheduling?

Being that we do indeed have our case number and NVC is in "ready" status, can we just go ahead and pay the fee for the interview date?

Is there any chance that we are screwing ourselves by "bypassing" this instruction package that we are supposedly waiting on?

Please post any experiences, and expert advice. MUCH appreciated.

Tim

[Hank_ 9,172]

Hi everyone,

I am thoroughly confused at this point in the journey.......

The NVC online, says that our status is "ready". We have our MNL case number. I called NVC today, and was told that they sent out the notice to the Manila embassy roughly 3 weeks ago. The Embassy, is telling me that they still have not received the "applicants case file". My fiance has not received anything from the Embassy, and 3 weeks seems like a long time for them to not receive anything.

If I am understanding correctly, are some of you saying to hell with waiting for the Embassy to deliver the package for scheduling?

Being that we do indeed have our case number and NVC is in "ready" status, can we just go ahead and pay the fee for the interview date?

Is there any chance that we are screwing ourselves by "bypassing" this instruction package that we are supposedly waiting on?

Please post any experiences, and expert advice. MUCH appreciated.

Tim

You do not need to wait for a letter from the embassy to get the show on the road. The embassy does not sent a packet for starting the K-1 visa application per sec... everything is done online. You have your MNL # so its rock 'n' roll time!!

Look in my signature and CLICK!!

Edited July 19, 2013 by Hank_

[timk 1]

You do not need to wait for a letter from the embassy to get the show on the road. The embassy does not sent a packet for starting the K-1 visa application per sec... everything is done online. You have your MNL # so its rock 'n' roll time!!

Look in my signature and CLICK!!

HI Hank, thank you so kindly for the fast reply!

So even though the embassy is telling us that they have NOT received our case file, we can proceed anyway with paying the fee, and then calling to schedule the appointment?

Sorry to be beating a dead horse.....just want to be clear. Thank you sir

[cjmc 10]

HI Hank, thank you so kindly for the fast reply!

So even though the embassy is telling us that they have NOT received our case file, we can proceed anyway with paying the fee, and then calling to schedule the appointment?

Sorry to be beating a dead horse.....just want to be clear. Thank you sir

Yup...that is exactly what we did and still have no written verification of our Case # from NVC nor that our file has been shipped to Manila and received....

We are moving forward just like Hank indicated.... :-)

Cheers,

cjmc

[timk 1]

Yup...that is exactly what we did and still have no written verification of our Case # from NVC nor that our file has been shipped to Manila and received....

We are moving forward just like Hank indicated.... :-)

Cheers,

cjmc

Hi CJ,

It's interesting how many seem to be going this route.....Have you been able to secure an interview date?

Thanks!

[Stevephoto 224]

Joan and I never received a packet from the embassy. We DID finally get a hard copy confirmation from NVC...but we were finished ad Joan was in Hawaii with me before we received it! Proceed per Hank's instructions and good luck!