Interview Instructions Letter *poof* gone

[Hank_ 9,174]

U.S.  Embassy Manila, USEM, Immigrant Visa Unit has done away with the instructions letter for immigrant and fiancee visas, it has been replaced by an online checklist.   Sadly, USEM personal were very lazy and did a copy paste of the immigrant visa checklist (which has flaws on its own) to use it with the fiancee visa checklist, thus omitting some information.  For the K-1, Fiancee visa this information is either wrong or omitted. 

 

1)  Visa payment instructions are wrong, K-1 visa does NOT pay their visa fee through NVC or directly to the embassy, it is still paid through BPI.   Information on USTRAVELDOCS and VisaConnection Philippines is still correct  http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/visa-payment.html

 

2) Police Clearance from a foreign country, the checklist states "Applicants who have stayed for one (1) year or more upon reaching the age of 16 years are required to obtain a police certificate" <<That is for immigrant only. .   CORRECT information for the K-1 - according to USTRAVELDOCS  = "Police certificates from your present country of residence and all countries where you have lived for six months or more since age 16 (Police certificates are also required for accompanying children age 16 or older)"

 

3) Support Evidence.   Embassy checklist includes a link to USCIS which is of no value to either the immigrant or fiancee visa looking for valid information :  FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS. Applicants must provide evidence that they will not become public charge in the U.S. You may visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ website at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis for the proper Affidavit of Support and list of evidence of financial support.    For the K-1 USTRAVELDOCS states:  Proof of Financial Support and Affidavit of Support Forms.  During the visa interview, applicants will be required to present evidence to the consular officer that they will not become a public charge in the United States. You may present evidence that you are able to financially support yourself or that your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) is able to provide support. The Consular Officer may request that a Form I-134, Affidavit of Support be submitted by the U.S. citizen fiancé(e).   

 

 

I am sure there will be many misdirected and confused K-1 applicants if they try to follow the "new checklist" on the USEM website.   And I will bet USEM doesn't take notice until  a bunch of K-1 visa applicants start contacting the embassy to pay their visa fee there instead of at BPI.

 

[John & Rose 7,241]

1 hour ago, Hank_ said:

U.S.  Embassy Manila, USEM, Immigrant Visa Unit has done away with the instructions letter for immigrant and fiancee visas, it has been replaced by an online checklist.   Sadly, USEM personal were very lazy and did a copy paste of the immigrant visa checklist (which has flaws on its own) to use it with the fiancee visa checklist, thus omitting some information.  For the K-1, Fiancee visa this information is either wrong or omitted. 

 

1)  Visa payment instructions are wrong, K-1 visa does NOT pay their visa fee through NVC or directly to the embassy, it is still paid through BPI.   Information on USTRAVELDOCS and VisaConnection Philippines is still correct  http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/visa-payment.html

 

2) Police Clearance from a foreign country, the checklist states "Applicants who have stayed for one (1) year or more upon reaching the age of 16 years are required to obtain a police certificate" <<That is for immigrant only. .   CORRECT information for the K-1 - according to USTRAVELDOCS  = "Police certificates from your present country of residence and all countries where you have lived for six months or more since age 16 (Police certificates are also required for accompanying children age 16 or older)"

 

3) Support Evidence.   Embassy checklist includes a link to USCIS which is of no value to either the immigrant or fiancee visa looking for valid information :  FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS. Applicants must provide evidence that they will not become public charge in the U.S. You may visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ website at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis for the proper Affidavit of Support and list of evidence of financial support.    For the K-1 USTRAVELDOCS states:  Proof of Financial Support and Affidavit of Support Forms.  During the visa interview, applicants will be required to present evidence to the consular officer that they will not become a public charge in the United States. You may present evidence that you are able to financially support yourself or that your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) is able to provide support. The Consular Officer may request that a Form I-134, Affidavit of Support be submitted by the U.S. citizen fiancé(e).   

 

 

I am sure there will be many misdirected and confused K-1 applicants if they try to follow the "new checklist" on the USEM website.   And I will bet USEM doesn't take notice until  a bunch of K-1 visa applicants start contacting the embassy to pay their visa fee there instead of at BPI.

 

Wow.  Just when it all really made sense now you are about to get a lot of new (old) questions.  This was confusing enough without this added help.  I'm glad we went through when we did!  Our interview is April 17.  I will let you know how it goes and if there are any changes from what was said here about previous interviews.

[Hank_ 9,174]

12 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Wow.  Just when it all really made sense now you are about to get a lot of new (old) questions.  This was confusing enough without this added help.  I'm glad we went through when we did!  Our interview is April 17.  I will let you know how it goes and if there are any changes from what was said here about previous interviews.

Yes I would appreciate an update after the interview.   Thanks

 

 

Just think, maybe at best only 1% that are chasing a visa even know about VJ or even VisaConnection-Philippines  .. they rely on who/what for guidance?   If they rely on the embassy website it is now F'd up for sure.   I did zing off some questions to the embassy already, not sure they will read it or even reply.   But I bet when the K-1s start contacting the embassy or NVC about visa payment someone will eventually have the bright idea to read their checklist     .. but how long will that take?

 

 

[John & Rose 7,241]

22 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Yes I would appreciate an update after the interview.   Thanks

 

 

Just think, maybe at best only 1% that are chasing a visa even know about VJ or even VisaConnection-Philippines  .. they rely on who/what for guidance?   If they rely on the embassy website it is now F'd up for sure.   I did zing off some questions to the embassy already, not sure they will read it or even reply.   But I bet when the K-1s start contacting the embassy or NVC about visa payment someone will eventually have the bright idea to read their checklist     .. but how long will that take?

 

 

Knowing the Philippines....years!  I used RapidVisa for the K-1.  I have no regrets but after being here I realized that I wasted money and it could have been done on my own (with the help here).  I really do feel sorry for people who do not have the support this site gives because the amount of bad information out there greatly dwarfs the good info.  

[Hank_ 9,174]

4 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Knowing the Philippines....years!  I used RapidVisa for the K-1.  I have no regrets but after being here I realized that I wasted money and it could have been done on my own (with the help here).  I really do feel sorry for people who do not have the support this site gives because the amount of bad information out there greatly dwarfs the good info.  

All rapidvisa did was complete the forms for you?  did they give you pointers to help make the process move along smoother?

[John & Rose 7,241]

Just now, Hank_ said:

All rapidvisa did was complete the forms for you?  did they give you pointers to help make the process move along smoother?

Not at all.  They just have an easy to use web interface that completes the forms.  They also review the package before sending.  They did ask for some additional paperwork so I had a sense of comfort with an extra set of eyes.  We still got an RFE for something that probably should have been caught by them.

 

They also give bad advice.  I am helping a couple from the Philippines here who was told to not do anything until CEAC was "READY".  They actually argued with Rapidvisa because they were told to wait for Packet 3.  They have already wasted a week. They say that I was moving forward even while the case was listed as "AT NVC" so they had lots of questions.  I referred them to VisaConnection and I am answering some minor questions for them.  I think about where they would be without the support here.  I still haven't even received an email from NVC (other than my inquiries) and no Packet 3 to be seen.  Those poor people would probably wait for months because of RapidVisa.

[Hank_ 9,174]

22 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Not at all.  They just have an easy to use web interface that completes the forms.  They also review the package before sending.  They did ask for some additional paperwork so I had a sense of comfort with an extra set of eyes.  We still got an RFE for something that probably should have been caught by them.

 

They also give bad advice.  I am helping a couple from the Philippines here who was told to not do anything until CEAC was "READY".  They actually argued with Rapidvisa because they were told to wait for Packet 3.  They have already wasted a week. They say that I was moving forward even while the case was listed as "AT NVC" so they had lots of questions.  I referred them to VisaConnection and I am answering some minor questions for them.  I think about where they would be without the support here.  I still haven't even received an email from NVC (other than my inquiries) and no Packet 3 to be seen.  Those poor people would probably wait for months because of RapidVisa.

There isn't a packet 3.     All there is .. sometimes .. is a welcome letter and reference to online links... but that rarely arrives and if it does it takes months after the case file is at USEM.   Think about those that wait THAT long.

 

My wife is a USC .. no letter from the embassy  .. yet.    

 

The Philippines forum was rather bleak back when I was going through, I was already in the holding pattern waiting for the I-129F approval before I tripped over it,  the advice was hap-hazard and mostly bad.  Few hung out here .. that helped with much.   There were one or two old timers that pop on from time to time to stir the puddle as it were.. trying to make mud I guess, one of them still comes around, and still tries to make mud.   I got the link to the embassy instructions letter and I dug up other information .. my wife had completed her interview in roughly 4 weeks after I got the MNL#.  After that I decided to keep notes and try to share what I know ...  make it so those that want to be done in 2-3 weeks can do it.    

 

Visaconnection-Philippines ... that expense I cover out of my pocket as it is not one of those free hosting deals, too much traffic.   It had a DDos attack a little over a year ago, over 10 millions hits, shut the website down for awhile .. hackers having a giggle I guess (mostly Russia, Ukraine and China).   I have since learned how to block most of that, which is why if you use a VPN you won't reach it.

 

 

Edited April 3, 2018 by Hank_

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

30 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Not at all.  They just have an easy to use web interface that completes the forms.  They also review the package before sending.  They did ask for some additional paperwork so I had a sense of comfort with an extra set of eyes.  We still got an RFE for something that probably should have been caught by them.

 

They also give bad advice.  I am helping a couple from the Philippines here who was told to not do anything until CEAC was "READY".  They actually argued with Rapidvisa because they were told to wait for Packet 3.  They have already wasted a week. They say that I was moving forward even while the case was listed as "AT NVC" so they had lots of questions.  I referred them to VisaConnection and I am answering some minor questions for them.  I think about where they would be without the support here.  I still haven't even received an email from NVC (other than my inquiries) and no Packet 3 to be seen.  Those poor people would probably wait for months because of RapidVisa.

Still looking for a packet 3 hahahaha. Yeah we had a guy on here about 6-8 months ago now that was waiting for the Packet 3 for like a month until he found this site and quickly realized from us that there is no Packet 3 and the USEM will not send anything to his fiancé.

 

Needless to say he was not to happy at all about wasting so much time like that.

Edited April 3, 2018 by cyberfx1024

[Hank_ 9,174]

2 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

Still looking for a packet 3 hahahaha. Yeah we had a guy on here about 6-8 months ago now that was waiting for the Packet 3 for like a month until he found this site and quickly realized from us that there is no Packet 3 and the USEM will not send anything to his fiancé.

 

Needless to say he was not to happy at all about wasting so much time like that.

Yes I remember him.   He did have a w-t-f moment for sure.

 

 

Edited April 3, 2018 by Hank_

[Greenbaum 12,262]

9 hours ago, John & Rose said:

Knowing the Philippines....years!  I used RapidVisa for the K-1.  I have no regrets but after being here I realized that I wasted money and it could have been done on my own (with the help here).  I really do feel sorry for people who do not have the support this site gives because the amount of bad information out there greatly dwarfs the good info.  

The problem for all of us is how do you know this information/VJ is out here. I for one stubbled onto VJ by accident. But you know there are so many things to consider when the thought of having to move one, two or three or more people to a new country you just don't want to make a mistake. Then, oh oh you realize you are going to work with an Government/Embassy that has the power (he who has the gold) to kick your A$$ out the door and tell you never to come back because you are so confused/not well educated in what needs to be submitted.

[Mark_712 126]

3 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

The problem for all of us is how do you know this information/VJ is out here. I for one stubbled onto VJ by accident. But you know there are so many things to consider when the thought of having to move one, two or three or more people to a new country you just don't want to make a mistake. Then, oh oh you realize you are going to work with an Government/Embassy that has the power (he who has the gold) to kick your A$$ out the door and tell you never to come back because you are so confused/not well educated in what needs to be submitted.

we have our interview on april 5th and his site has helped us  immeasurably!   we actually got our medical CFO and everything before we got any confirmation letter after it said ready at NVC.  ironically today I got the confirmation email on what steps to take to schedule interview and the approval however we’ve gotten everything completed and already scheduled the interview and we would’ve lost a month and we waited for that. I will definitely report back here and how her interview went but thanks to this form we are confident and prepared for everything that we have completed in order to get to the stage. I really feel like this site is underserved and underappreciated  but to those who are aware of it it’s clearly seen how appreciative and thankful everyone is to have a site full of helpful people looking to give advice better than any lawyer can from what my experience has been. I think everyone should be aware of the site to help them navigate through this unbelievably complicated confusing yet attainable journey.

[Hank_ 9,174]

This morning I got a reply from USEM which states the correct FEE payment process (same as on visaconnection-philippines.com).  Still I am not sure this person initiated things to correct the flaw in their website checklist.    At least he/she regrets the confusion ...    

 

Please note that K1 nonimmigrant visa applicants must pay the visa application fee of $265 before they can request a visa appointment via the online appointment website or the Embassy’s Visa Call Center. There are three ways to pay the K visa application fee:

 

1. Cash payment at any Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) branch. All K visa applicants are required to present a U.S. visa application deposit slip to pay the K visa fee. They must print the applicable U.S. visa application deposit slip which can be downloaded from the online appointment website: http://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-paymentinfo.asp, and take it to the bank to pay the fee.

 

2. Online payment bill option provided by BPI to their clients.

 

3. Online payment through Bancnet.

 

For more details regarding K visa payment instructions, the applicant may visit a link to our website at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/the-interview/.

 

The information in our website indicating that fees may be settled in cash or major credit cards at the Embassy’s Consular Cashier when these have not been paid at the NVC, only applies to family and employment-based visa petitions.

 

We regret the confusion this may have caused you.

 

 

CONSULAR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

Embassy of the United States of America  | Manila, Philippines

[Greenbaum 12,262]

So nothing has changed as far as the payment is concerned except more mumble jumble from a Government Agency.

[Hank_ 9,174]

19 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

So nothing has changed as far as the payment is concerned except more mumble jumble from a Government Agency.

Correct.

 

Some lazy azz web designer at USEM doesn't know what is what between the different visa requirements, so he copy/pasted the Immigrant visa checklist word for word to the K-1 checklist ..  of course Visa Payment, Support Evidence, and Police Clearance have different requirements ... so now i is f'd up some for the K-1