NOA2 and beyond questions

[geff44 30]

Hello everyone. First time posting under the Philippines forum and hopefully this is the right place for my questions. I received the hard copy of our NOA1 yesterday. According to our timeline, estimated approval is between last week of November to December (assuming no RFEs) of this year. I know the road ahead for the visa has just begun but I just want to plan ahead.

After reading the forum, some people were being denied visa at the Consulate level even with tons of proof of ongoing relationship. I have decided to go with my fiancee during her interview and I think this will be the best proof to show a true relationship. Unfortunately my job will only allow me to take three weeks vacation and I can stretch it to a month. However I need to leave some vacation days for our wedding.

These are my questions:

1. From the time of Noa2 approval how long before we can schedule an interview with the USEM? What is the average wait?

2. How many weeks should the medical be schedule prior to the interview?

3. I don't think my fiancee has any records of vaccination, will this add days to the medical or can the vaccination be done in one day?

4.When her visa is approve by USEM, how many days before we get it?

5. Do you think three weeks is enough to have all of these (including the CFO) done that she can fly with me to the US?

Thanks in advance.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hello everyone. First time posting under the Philippines forum and hopefully this is the right place for my questions. I received the hard copy of our NOA1 yesterday. According to our timeline, estimated approval is between last week of November to December (assuming no RFEs) of this year. I know the road ahead for the visa has just begun but I just want to plan ahead.

After reading the forum, some people were being denied visa at the Consulate level even with tons of proof of ongoing relationship. I have decided to go with my fiancee during her interview and I think this will be the best proof to show a true relationship. Unfortunately my job will only allow me to take three weeks vacation and I can stretch it to a month. However I need to leave some vacation days for our wedding.

These are my questions:

1. From the time of Noa2 approval how long before we can schedule an interview with the USEM? What is the average wait?

2. How many weeks should the medical be schedule prior to the interview?

3. I don't think my fiancee has any records of vaccination, will this add days to the medical or can the vaccination be done in one day?

4.When her visa is approve by USEM, how many days before we get it?

5. Do you think three weeks is enough to have all of these (including the CFO) done that she can fly with me to the US?

Thanks in advance.

I have read of very few being denied here on VJ.

To be honest there is not a serious reason for you to be there for the interview, it helps but truly its not necessary.

If you have a true and sincere relationship and it shows in the evidence provided ... and the look in your fiancee's face .. all will be fine.

I was there for the interview, but my wife would have been approved even if I hadn't been there.... without a doubt.

1) You can't schedule the interview until after your file has been transferred from USCIS to NVC and the MNL # has been assigned to your case. It can take a couple weeks after the NOA2 for your file to reach NVC, it can be another 10 - 15 business days before you get your MNL#, and yet another 10 -15 days before your file is transferred to USEM. Once you have your MNL # you can schedule the interview online, I would suggest at that point scheduling it about 4 - 6 weeks out.

2) Embassy recommends doing the medical 7 - 10 days before the interview. (info is in the embassy instructions letter.. in the link in my signature)

3) Makes no never-mind if you fiancée does not have vaccination records. The medical normally is a two day process with the vaccinations on day two.. IF there are no TB issues.

4) The embassy states the visas are normally delivered within two weeks after issuance. My wife got hers two weeks after, some have gotten the visa in as little as three days.

5) Do CFO while waiting for the MNL # - then you need only to return with the certificate to get the sticker in the passport (30 minute process), that way you only have the medical & interview waiting to get done. And of course the "delivery wait". From interview to flying in 3 weeks ... possible, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Hello everyone. First time posting under the Philippines forum and hopefully this is the right place for my questions. I received the hard copy of our NOA1 yesterday. According to our timeline, estimated approval is between last week of November to December (assuming no RFEs) of this year. I know the road ahead for the visa has just begun but I just want to plan ahead.

After reading the forum, some people were being denied visa at the Consulate level even with tons of proof of ongoing relationship. I have decided to go with my fiancee during her interview and I think this will be the best proof to show a true relationship. Unfortunately my job will only allow me to take three weeks vacation and I can stretch it to a month. However I need to leave some vacation days for our wedding.

These are my questions:

1. From the time of Noa2 approval how long before we can schedule an interview with the USEM? What is the average wait?

2. How many weeks should the medical be schedule prior to the interview?

3. I don't think my fiancee has any records of vaccination, will this add days to the medical or can the vaccination be done in one day?

4.When her visa is approve by USEM, how many days before we get it?

5. Do you think three weeks is enough to have all of these (including the CFO) done that she can fly with me to the US?

Thanks in advance.

1. From the time of Noa2 approval how long before we can schedule an interview with the USEM? What is the average wait?

Depending which center your documents are being processed by you are looking at avg. 4-6 months without RFE. Some are running near 5 months. After the NOA2 you are looking at 6 - 8 weeks if you follow Hank's advice. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/261031-some-useful-links/page-4#entry6418455

2. How many weeks should the medical be schedule prior to the interview?

At least one week prior to the interview if not 10 days. She must be at least a few days from her last period and NO sex prior to the medical exam.

3. I don't think my fiancée has any records of vaccination, will this add days to the medical or can the vaccination be done in one day?

Don't worry, all the vaccinations that she will need are included in the medical exam and the medical fee. Vaccinations are done in one day. She will receive a number of different shots. Be patient with her as that evening or next day she possibly will not feel good for a day or so. Some Pinay's it has really kicked their little butts. More information can be found here http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml#required-exams

4.When her visa is approve by USEM, how many days before we get it?

Depends on how you want to receive it. If you go to her province it may take 2-3 weeks avg depending on approval and how fast USEM completes the paperwork. If you pick it up at a 2go location in Manila then you can shorten that time by a week. Again, we are dealing with "average" times and yours may be different then others.

5. Do you think three weeks is enough to have all of these (including the CFO) done that she can fly with me to the US?

Well, I am hoping so also, as I am in the same boat you are in. We plan on the medical to be on a Monday, CFO on Wednesday, and USEM interview on Friday. Then wait the two weeks and then board a plane for USA together. I am planning on being there for 30 days which will allow some flexibility to the process.

BTW, welcome and ask any questions here as there are very knowledgeable members who offer great help.

Godspeed.