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mcmom

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    Tears of Joy from a great ordeal in the US Embassy

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Congrats! Though I'm sad that you have to go through that ordeal... I also worked in Dubai as a nurse for 3 years & wasn't able to secure a Police Certificate before I resigned. Though I knew from reading that Police Certificates for UAE can be requested to be waived (because you can only secure one if you are presently living in UAE or Dubai), I submitted a notarized Affidavit that I cannot provide one stating the reasons. I submitted this to NVC together with my IV documents & I saw that NVC noted down in my Appointment letter that it is unobtainable and is therefore waived...so I didn't go through the ordeal of being questioned about that. My visa was approved without questions =)

    St. Luke’s Medical Exam Walkthrough

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Hi everyone! I just want to share an updated walkthrough regarding the medical exam my son & I took last July 24 & 26 at SLEC. This is my way of giving back the help my fellow VJers extended to us... :lol:

    I thought of creating this since the most comprehensive note posted here was way back 2009. There were quite a few changes is the medical procedures like the online registration (which we did & it really helps a lot, no more filling out of forms) and the fees of course. But as mentioned before everything will still be based on our own experience and it may vary with yours.

    Here's the link for online registration: http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

    I chose to go for medical on a Tuesday because I have a toddler in tow. He will be required to have TST (Tuberculin Skin Test) which will be read after 48 hours so it means we need to go back by Thursday for the 2nd Medical Day. And since my son's Toddler's class is MWF, the TTh schedule works to our advantage.

    For the documents needed, I prepared everything the night before (separated my files from my son's) so I won't need to cross the street for photocopy or picture requirement. I placed in in 2 separate brown envelopes so it won't get mixed up. And since my son is only 2 years old I dragged my mom along with us so someone can oversee him while I do other test which they don't require for aged 14 y.o. and below.

    <b>The Fees: </b>

    You will pay in peso.

    US$223.00 (PhP 9,589.00) for 15 y.o. and older

    US$185.00 (PhP 7,955.00) for 14 y.o. and below

    <b>What to Bring:</b>

    For Regular Immigrants and K-Visa Applicants

    -Valid passport

    -Photocopy of Passport Biographic/Data Page, the page in the passport that contains the applicant's photo and information

    -3 pieces recent 2x2 visa photos (2 for submission to the U.S. Embassy, 1 for clinic file)

    -Appointment letter from the Embassy or Instruction letter from the National Visa Center (NVC), if available,otherwise NOA2 will do

    -2 photocopies of your Appointment Letter/ Instruction Letter/NOA2

    -Applicants are also required to provide the name, address and contact number of their petitioner in the U.S.A.

    Note:

    - Bottled water. Foods are not allowed, but you can slip through hiding your crackers somewhere in your bag.

    - IPad, Playbook or books to keep you entertained. It's a must for children since they easily get bored from waiting & mind you every step you need to wait.

    First Day

    We arrived at around 5:45am, I handed our papers (all the requirements mentioned above, with the pictures, i put a paper clip on both our documents) to the guard, he stamped the photocopied Appointment Letter with SLMECEC-PDS and gave me queue numbers 10 & 11 for online. My son then is still in the car parked (on hazard) infront of the clinic but the guard advised me to go inside by 6:00am since i have a child with me. He advised me to feed my little boy first which is what I really intend to do.

    At exactly 6:00am, we were already in the Reception Area (G/F). Upon entry the guard will stamped your hand with the SLEC logo, blue for applicants, red for companion (y mom). I noticed that numbers 1-10 for online were already called. Please note that there are separate queues and number assignment for online, walk-in and seniors. 2 SLEC officers were manning the Registration area for Online & Walk-in while there is only 1 SLEC officer manning the Senior's window. When it was our turn, the SLEC officer just verified our names, date of birth & interview date, asked to verify the info on the computer screen, took our picture and finger scanning.

    By 6:30am - I'm already on queue on the Cashier's Area (5/F). She was very nice and friendly. Then the guard will direct you to submit your receipt to the US Counter Area (5/F).

    6:45am - We were already seated on the lobby area, waiting to be called for Vital SIgns.

    7:15am - Our names were called for Vital Signs, the nurse took my BP, PR, RR for my son only the PR. Then she asked us to proceed to the side where the previously called applicants are lined up for weight, height & eye exam.

    7:45am - We were ushered in to a room next to the US Counter for wt, ht measurement & eye exam (for my son wt & ht only). After my eye exam the nurse instructed as how to go about the next steps. Based on my observation, she alternates the instructions as to what procedure you should do next so people will not be on the same floor waiting. For me, she instructed me to go first to Laboratory (4/F) for blood extraction & Urinalysis while the others she instructed to do XRay first.

    7:55am - Went down to Laboratory 4/F using the stairs, gave my receipt to the reception then she asked me to scan my finger and was then instructed to go directly inside the Extraction Room. Inside the room there were 2 Medical Technologist & a few applicants, you need to sit on the chairs at the side of the door first and wait for them to call your name . After blood extraction, she will direct you to the other side (left) of the reception area for Urinalysis & the technician (table in front of the CR) in charge will give you a receptacle for the urine. She will ask for your visa category and if you are ready to void, if yes, she will hand you out the receptacle and will see you through the CR cubicle. After that, next will be XRay (3/F).

    8:10am - Again using the stairs, we went down to 3/F for XRay. Gave my receipt & passport (but will be returned after Xray) to the reception area, she'll give a paper to fill out with your LMP (Last Menstrual Period) to be written on the topmost part (you should always write the first day). Then you need to wait for them to call your name before going inside the XRay Area for Women. Inside the Xray Area, there is another waiting area (you will be called in batches of 6 or more) and a dressing room where you get to change your top to a clean gown (note: minimize jewelries & make sure to tie your long hair of course you need to remove your bra). After changing to a gown, sit and wait for your turn. If you are clear, the Xray tech will immediately give you your passport and receipt and will direct you to the next step.

    8:35am - This time with my son for the Immunization Interview (2/F). I gave our receipt to the reception area together with my son's baby book. The receptionist will give you a form to fill out, it's the Consent for the Immunization, it will be attached to your file. Don't worry for adults, just tell them you lost track of your Immunization Record. Anyways, the fee includes the vaccine charge regardless if you need to have it or not so better take it. For the child's Immunization Record, You need to give a photocopy of the Immunization Chart with the Pediatrician's complete name & signature plus PRC License number. And then the hardest part the Tuberculin Skin Test for my son. Skin Tests are really painful, more painful than injections, I should know, I'm a nurse :no: . The doctor will take note of the date/time that it should be read after 48 hours and so she will advise you to go back on that said time and date.

    9:00am - Physical Examination (5/F). The longest wait ever. We don't know what is taking them so long but we thought it might be the lack of doctors that day. We waited for 3 hours here. We were done by 12:00nn. And only for some interview like medical history & physical check up. It's like it took 5 minutes for my son & 10 minutes for me and walla were done. They are not that strict in doing the physical exam. The nurse instructed me to come back with my son on Thursday instead of Wednesday, so it will save us one day. :lol: So we went to Robinson's Place for lunch first before going home.

    Second Day

    We were asked to come back around 8:30am because my son's skin test needs to be read by 8:58am.

    8:30am - Arrived at SLEC, presented our receipts to the guard inside (the one with the computer near the stairs). He stamped my receipts with FOR IMMUNIZATION (big sigh of relief) and my son's receipt with FOR READING and was instructed to go to 2/F Immunization Area.

    8:35am - Gave our receipts to the reception area. Mine was lined up for Immunization Room while for my son, he was lined up for the Immunization Doctor for Reading.

    8:45am - My name was called to the Immunization Room. It took me awhile as the applicant before me is a minor and they should be accompanied by their parents (not guardians) inside the room. And so the guardian is ranting that they are not informed, after all the discussion the minor was not given the vaccines, it's a legal matter, if a parent is here in PI, only them can accompany their child. So when it was my turn, she just verified my name, date of birth, interview schedule & explained the vaccines that will be given, cant remember if I signed a consent, yes I think I did. :lol: After that, I'm done. Instructed to wait at the Releasing Area (G/F) for the results.

    9:00am - My son was called inside the Immunization Interview area for the reading. Of course, I know it's negative, I've been monitoring it & thank God no signs of redness with 0mm growth. :star::rofl: So we were told to go back around 12:00nn for his vaccines because they need to enter all his Immunization Record in the system. The doctor said it takes them two hours to encode everything. Oh well I don't have a choice but to go back.

    9:15am - We went down to the G/F for the release of my medical results. Your name will be called in Window A first, you need to give your passport and sign a couple of papers then go back to your seat and wait further. After that your name will be called again (can be in Window C-H), the nurse will ask for your 2pcs US passport size picture, will explain the vaccines you received and to do follow up or booster doses in the US, will remind you what to bring on your interview, that they will be the one to forward the results to the US Embassy and will hand you back your receipt, passport & Chest Xray CD with your vaccination record.

    10:30am - We went to Robinson's Place for early lunch.

    12:00nn - We went back to SLEC 2/F Immunization Record. Asked the receptionist if it's ready but he directed me to go directly to the Immunization Room and ask the nurses if my son's record is with them already. And so I went inside the room and was told to wait for his name to be called but I already saw his file and I knew that he will already be called on the next batch.

    12:15pm - My son's name was called & the struggle begins. The nurse explained to me the vaccines, gave paper for post immunization reminders. He was given 3 shots and I was surprised because after the injection he cried a little but acted as if nothing happened afterwards. No fever as well for him. After that same procedure as mine. We went down to the G/F for the Releasing of Results.

    1:30pm - We were out of SLEC with happy faces.

    (L) (L) (L)

    NVC Filers - May 2012

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    dreck.

    time to slow down a bit. Don't pay anything else till the two casefiles are joined up.

    you want the casefiles to be joined up at NVC.

    Have yer USCitizen Spouse call in to NVC, and ask for 'AOS FEE BILL' on the son's casefile.

    Keep asking for that, until it arrives in his email inbox. Call every two days until it shows up. Don't pay it, but then..

    call into NVC again, ask for the casefiles to be joined up.

    Once they are joined up - the son's AOS fee bill is waived (yer USCitizen Spouse will see that in the online payment portal, after the casefiles are joined up)

    and at some point , get the DS-3032 for the son into NVC.

    WHEN the son's IV fee bill shows up, pay both IV fee bills, as by then - the casefiles are joined up.

    Why is this important? You want the casefiles to be joined up, as

    --the son's AOS fee bill is waived and

    --you two get the same interview day - which is really important.

    Good Luck !

    Thank you so much! (F)

    NVC Filers - May 2012

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Hi everyone! We got our NOA2 May 2, 2012 & when my hubby called NVC yesterday (May 17, 2012) they said they already received my case but they haven't received our son's case yet. They gave my hubby an invoice# which is an 8 digit number (is this my case number????)...they got our email address & was advised to wait for 15-20 days for the next steps through email... Can I email DS3032 using the invoice# given to my hubby??? so clueless on the next steps...i hope you guys could help us...Thanks in advance... (F)

    December 2011 IR-1/CR-1 USCIS Filers

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    If you don't mind me asking , is there any reason why you think yours was done quicker ? If they're still doing November why would they do a mid-dec ? Have you been married a long time , what country are you coming from?

    Just wondering as I am noa1 dec 8 2011....

    (L)

    Congrats again, can't wait to get mine through !

    Thanks! We're married for almost 4 years now with a son who is 2 years old (who is also included in the I130 petition). I am from the Philippines & after the I130, he also filed for K3 visa to show the USCIS that he badly needs us to be with him...LOL...another thing is he visited us last April, he was here for 2 weeks... (L)

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