I-130 approved! Detailed guide of next steps specifically for PH?

[Nathan Alden, Sr. 24]

My wife's and my I-130 spouse petition was officially approved today! To prepare for what's to come, I'm reading as much as I can about the NVC, medical, and interview processes. Is there a detailed guide somewhere about next steps specifically for Philippines beneficiaries? I already know in general about the CFO process, the need for a medical exam and vaccinations (and how this can get crazy with sputum testing and treatment), and the difficulty of scheduling an interview (refreshing the website every hour until a slot opens up). However, is there anything I'm missing? I don't expect the DS-260 or the I-864 to cause any issues but I know how unpredictable the US embassy in Manila can be from reading past stories. I'd love to learn about the document requirements that we'll have to submit that are specific to the Philippines (police clearances, etc.)

 

Any words of wisdom, gotchas, etc. from anyone who's recently gone through this process, or a guide I can read somewhere that's up-to-date?

 

Thank you all!

[J.M. 367]

No words of wisdom from me (I did K-1), but man, I thought you would be posting about having your second child by now!  22 months for I-130 approval?  That's crazy.  Congratulations for getting your approval.  I hope it goes well for you.

 

[Daphne . 2,171]

Here is the info for Manila: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MNL-Manila.html#medical_exam_instructions

[Theersink 50]

10 hours ago, Nathan Alden, Sr. said:

My wife's and my I-130 spouse petition was officially approved today! To prepare for what's to come, I'm reading as much as I can about the NVC, medical, and interview processes. Is there a detailed guide somewhere about next steps specifically for Philippines beneficiaries? I already know in general about the CFO process, the need for a medical exam and vaccinations (and how this can get crazy with sputum testing and treatment), and the difficulty of scheduling an interview (refreshing the website every hour until a slot opens up). However, is there anything I'm missing? I don't expect the DS-260 or the I-864 to cause any issues but I know how unpredictable the US embassy in Manila can be from reading past stories. I'd love to learn about the document requirements that we'll have to submit that are specific to the Philippines (police clearances, etc.)

 

Any words of wisdom, gotchas, etc. from anyone who's recently gone through this process, or a guide I can read somewhere that's up-to-date?

 

Thank you all!

Congratulations! We just finished our process and are waiting on the last 5 days of sputum cultures.

Now that your 130 is approved you'll be getting an email from NVC. As soon as that is received you can work on that. The DS-260 is long and I recommend having a copy of your 130 handy and fill it out  together. NVC process is fairly straightforward. DS-260, financial affidavit, ect. Just follow instructions and watch for emails.

The good part is you are spousal so the checking for appointments part is not required. Once you are DC'd NVC will set the interview for you and send you an email. Once you get the interview email you can schedule medical and the VAC biometric. We had no scheduling issues with either of those. As I said we are awaiting sputum and it is a real possibility. My wife said there were more people at SLEC for that than actual exams. Even so it is not something to be overly worried about and it appears they have streamlined this as well. My wife was still allowed to do the interview and was given vaccines so probably the Drs anticipated a negative test. She was told she would not have to return for another xray or followup as has been the case in the past. At the interview my daughter was cleared for the visa and wife was given a 221g for medical but verbally approved otherwise. Wife said it was 2 part but easy questions. First was with a filipino and the second part was with an American. Due to an accident on the freeway she was 45min late and still allowed to interview. She said they are very cordial at the embassy and talked to her like sitting in a coffeehouse with a friend. That part is probably luck of the draw though and my wife is a people person and tends to have that effect with people. Haha.

 

That's where we sit now.

Hope this helps. Feel free to post or message me with any concerns or questions. You're in the home stretch now.

Edited Saturday at 12:27 PM by Theersink

[appleblossom 5,953]

10 hours ago, Nathan Alden, Sr. said:

My wife's and my I-130 spouse petition was officially approved today! To prepare for what's to come, I'm reading as much as I can about the NVC, medical, and interview processes. Is there a detailed guide somewhere about next steps specifically for Philippines beneficiaries? I already know in general about the CFO process, the need for a medical exam and vaccinations (and how this can get crazy with sputum testing and treatment), and the difficulty of scheduling an interview (refreshing the website every hour until a slot opens up). However, is there anything I'm missing? I don't expect the DS-260 or the I-864 to cause any issues but I know how unpredictable the US embassy in Manila can be from reading past stories. I'd love to learn about the document requirements that we'll have to submit that are specific to the Philippines (police clearances, etc.)

 

Any words of wisdom, gotchas, etc. from anyone who's recently gone through this process, or a guide I can read somewhere that's up-to-date?

 

Thank you all!

 

Congrats! Follow the official guidance, you're at Step 2 now - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition/step-2-begin-nvc-processing.html Note that you don't book your own interview, that's only for K-1's. It'll be scheduled for you (approx 6 months after you're DQ'ed), so no need to worry about that. 

 

And then from that website make sure you read the country specific guidelines for Manila requirements - 

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Philippines.html

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MNL-Manila.html

 

Good luck, hope the rest of it goes smoothly. 

[Nathan Alden, Sr. 24]

My wife has a passport and also an electronic national ID through the eGovPH app. She never received a laminated national ID because of the national government completely bungling the project. Will that be enough in terms of photo ID?

[Nathan Alden, Sr. 24]

Also, there is a good chance that she will need several vaccinations as I'm not sure she got any during childhood. She does already have the double-dose of Pfizer for COVID-19. Does anyone have recommendations for where she can get the required vaccines, or other wisdom to share on this topic?

[W199 571]

1 hour ago, Nathan Alden, Sr. said:

Also, there is a good chance that she will need several vaccinations as I'm not sure she got any during childhood. She does already have the double-dose of Pfizer for COVID-19. Does anyone have recommendations for where she can get the required vaccines, or other wisdom to share on this topic?

The FAQ at St Luke Medical center where she needs to go for her medical will answer this and more .. Here is the link

https://slec.ph/faq/us.php

 

[Nathan Alden, Sr. 24]

11 hours ago, W199 said:

The FAQ at St Luke Medical center where she needs to go for her medical will answer this and more .. Here is the link

https://slec.ph/faq/us.php

 

 

Thanks. Last night I was on YouTube and it seems like SLEC itself issues vaccinations after the medical exam.

[J.M. 367]

3 hours ago, Nathan Alden, Sr. said:

SLEC itself issues vaccinations after the medical exam.

That is correct.  No need to get them prior to the exam.  Required vaccines are included in the medical exam.