lyricalan

Apple21 thanks for the response, information and link to USCIS. Very helphul

Hello I hope someone can shed some light on this subject for me. The father of my Filipino wife has recently entered the U.S. on an immigrant visa. My wife's sister is actually the person that petitioned him since she has been in the U.S. for 13 years and now has her citizenship. My question pertains to his (the father's) wife and child that are still in the Philippines and if they can also come to the U.S. now that the father is here. This is his second wife since his first wife passed away years ago and the child who is a minor is his and his second wife's child. Confused yet? I don't know anything about the process for parents and spouses of parents and their children since I have only dealt with a K1 visa for my wife. If anyone has information concerning this I would appreciate a response.

Me too. I can't find a way to UNsubscribe.

I ended up marking it as spam.

Well the spam is a good idea if I can't come up with anything else. Thanks

Can someone tell me how to unsubscribe from email notifications from a thread I was previously following? I had subscribed to "Philippine consulate review" a long time ago. I would like to unsubscribe now but can't seem to figure out how to do it.

Thanks

Good day everyone,

Does anybody here undergoing Administrative Process from MANILA embassy?

I had my interview last june 19, all questions was answered and all went smooth except for the last part when the consul told me that the case will be in administrative process. I was given a white form 221g WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR FROM US.

All documents was provided and updated. They did not ask any documents from us. We keep calling the embassy always the same answer like what the website CEAC provided. Last thursday talked to a lady in USEM and told me they are waiting for a clearance to arrived, they can't tell me what kind of clearance was that.

I'm really devastated and completely SAD dealing with this, this is my first time to apply for k1 visa, never been abroad. I really wanted to be with my man so bad to finally start our life together.

I apologize for my drama, Can somebody tell me what to do in order for our case to be completed? aside from WAIT?

thank you everyone

My fiancee' and I went through exactly the same thing except we were not issued a 221g. Our's went into AP after showing "Ready" on the CEAC website for over a week immediately after the interview. We called the embassy daily and were told many things over the course of the next 3-1/2 weeks. One of the things we were told was they were waiting on a clearance. After asking many questions we finally determined that meant a "clearance" or really an approval from the U.S. powers that be. I don't believe they are waiting on a clearance like in the sense of an NBI or police clearance. All of our documents were in order also and nothing else was asked from us. It took 4-1/2 weeks until the visa was finally issued, but once it was finally issued it was delivered to MOA 2 days later. All you can do is be patient which is easier said than done. I don't think calling the embassy really helps but it might keep you from going insane. Hang in there it will come soon now. Good luck

Changed again yesterday to "Ready". But now after the case number MNL2013XXXXXX it also says 01 MNL which wasn't there previously. Any significance to the 01 MNL?

Interview was June 4, USEM and supposedly the visa was approved. No 221g issued and no additional info requested. Status was "Ready" for one week, "Administrative Processing" for 2-1/2 weeks, "Ready" for 2 days, and "Administrative Processing" again for the past 4 days. Is there anything I can do or anyone to talk to concerning this? Getting very frustrating and no real info coming from the embassy. Just keep saying to call back in a couple of days with no explanation as to the delay. Thanks for your response.

I am the OP

I just got off of the phone with the Embassy they would not give me any information other than i was in AP they would not tell me why just quoted the information that was on the web sight. reminds me of calling USCIS, I hope they do not try to mail anything to my Fiancee because she is no longer at the address they have on file as she was preparing to move from the PH. We have not gotten any emails from th"e Embassy. Does anyone have any ideas how to get in touch with someone at the Embassy that can actually find out more information than I can myself from the web site?

Well your description of events is exactly the same as mine and my fiancee's. I am the USC and was at the interview with my fiancee' on June 4. The visa was supposedly approved and we were told that 2go would contact her about the delivery. Also no 221g and no request for any other info or documents. Our status was "Ready" for about a week then changed to "AP" and stayed in that for the next almost 3 weeks. On July 1 it changed back to "Ready". We have called the Embassy almost daily and have gotten little information that really gives us any help or insight. For 2 weeks now we have been told the visa is in "final processing" and to call back the next day or a couple of days later. We also were planning to return to the U.S. together but after 3 weeks I had to return for work. So my fiancee' is in limbo just waiting for the visa and had also moved out of her residence since we thought the visa would be coming fairly soon. There seems to be no transparency with any part of this process. I would like to be able to give you more positive information but can only relay our circumstances. Best of luck to you, maybe your AP will be faster, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the process.

I had to edit this post..........while I was typing my response to you our status changed back to "AP" after being "Ready" for 2 days. Others have said in posts I have read that theirs was "AP" - "Ready" - "AP" - "Issued". Don't know if that will be the case with ours or not but really all we can do is wait.

Well it went from "Ready" for over a week to "Administrative Processing" for almost 3 weeks, now today it was changed again to "Ready". Makes no sense to me, any ideas from anyone with a similar experience?

What a frustrating process this has been since the initial filing. Over a year for NOA2 and now still in AP after the interview with no end in sight. No information available at the USEM either except the visa is in "final processing". The only problem with that is that this is the same response given for the past 2 weeks. When will it all end?

So my fiancee' was approved on June 4 but the AO said there would be a 24-48 hour delay for some kind of additional processing. She received no additional forms and the passport was kept but the case status said "ready" and "case is open" for two weeks after the interview. This was finally updated a couple of days ago and now says the case is in "administrative processing". It also says this could take several weeks. Has anyone had a similar situation with the Manila Embassy and how long should it typically take from this point? Others approved the same day received their visas within one week and it has been almost three weeks now for ours. I call each day to the Embassy for a status update and am told the visa is in final processing to be printed and to call back the next day. I have gotten this or a similar response for the past 5 days though, so is this just another canned response or does it mean the visa should be printed and out for delivery soon? Thanks for any response if you have information.

I'll chime in on the Globe Duo. Been using it for about 9 months now. Unlimited calling from US to a globe cell number. We have talked hours a day for months now and can't imagine anything better under the circumstances. She can be anywhere (no internet needed for her) as long as she has her cell phone and a globe signal. I use google talkatone since I have a stable internet connection and I don't use up my calling minutes for my cell service.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and insight. I will try to book so she has adequate time and not cut it too close. Thanks again.

Suggest that you try to plan for possible delays due to flight delays, congestion at CBP entry point, and other unforeseen factors beyond your control. If you could accurately predict the length of time necessary for processing, suggest that you next go and pick the next lucky Powerball lottery numbers.

Good luck.

Ya it was kind of my intention to attempt to plan enough time for her to be processed. Hence my question about how long it typically takes. I would assume there is some kind of average time that it takes not taking into consideration flight delays, missed connections, acts of God etc. So I guess you were trying to help but maybe someone else will answer my question based on their experience with going through customs and immigration in the U.S.

Hello, can anyone tell me approximately how long it will take for my fiancee' (Filipino) to go through customs and immigration when she comes to the U.S.? She will likely go through LAX before connecting to DFW and I want make sure she has adequate time to complete the customs and immigration. Some of the flights have as little as 1-1/2 hour layovers in LA but I can book others that have longer layover times like 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi folks, thanks in advance for any advice. Here's the situation. I'm going to try to stay factual 'cos we're both so upset but i'm just trying to figure out what's next so we can move forwards and still have something to look forward to.

My fiancee got back from the interview a few hours ago with bad news, we are denied. We had been so fortunate in the rest of the process to get to this stage quickly so at least we did not wait for so many extra months like i know many of you have, so at least we found this out now and not after waiting even longer. Silver linings...

Okay, i'm paraphrasing here and trying to make sense of what happened 'cos i was not at the interview myself, and that would not have helped the situation as i understand it, so if i leave any ambiguities forgive me but communication is tough until she returns home and the news is so fresh.

At the interview they did not even look at the relationship evidence, they said all our paperwork was in order but there is another problem.

7 years ago she saw another guy and they broke it off - he was going to file fiancee visa but then they broke it off. Since then he met another filipina and brought her to the USA, and now they have no contact. So she thought the visa was either not applied for, or was invalid/withdrawn due to him being able to bring a different fiancee over.

At the embassy they informed her that the previous K1 for her is in their system and is not withdrawn, and it's not allowed to have multiple petitions for the same beneficiary. She asked before leaving and they said we are Denied.

But on the State Dept site the case is updated to show

"Your case is under administrative processing. Please see the letter you received at your interview for more information."

There is no letter from the interview.

So, i have a few questions - i feel totally unprepared for this 'cos i had really anticipated an approval, and i'm still in shock about it but trying to be practical on how to go forward, so please be kind and polite with advice - i know almost everyone here is, so thank you.

These are some questions that i'm wondering about...

1. Will/should we receive a letter from the embassy?

2. How can we withdraw her previous petition - do we need to contact USCIS, NVC or the Embassy to do that? We don't even have a case number, A# or anything - just his and her names is all.

3. I assume of course that an appeal is a bad option - correct?

4. Will the denial cause problems for our next petition?

5. If we get the previous application withdrawn, from the previous fiancee, is it possible to get the current one withdrawn too and then simply refile with updated info?

6. Or is it better for us to get married and apply for spousal visa instead?

7. If we do go for spousal visa do we still need to get the previous applications withdrawn?

Any advice is appreciated, as i said i'm just so unprepared for this and trying to get what information i can to help us move forward.

Thanks, David and Celesty

Do you know if a visa was actually issued previously or was just an I-129F petition filed? Did she previously go thru the interview process at the embassy? What stage did the previous process reach? Curious as to how something else is still in the system yet USCIS approved the I-129F since they do extensive background checks before approving the I-129F. Sorry this has happened to you and hope you reach a positive resolution.

The medical must be completed before the interview date. If it is not completed then her approval will be delayed.

Pretty much EVERYONE does the medical before the interview date because it is required at the interview.

No medical = no approval.

I think the OP might have been asking if the medical can be completed before the interview appointment. You actually cannot complete the medical if you do not have an interview appointment scheduled. You must supply proof of the appointment which means you have already paid the visa fee.

Actually you will get as far as the Embassy with her. She will have to enter the Embassy all by herself and go thru the entire process with you waiting for her outside---and this is after spending all that time and money to get there. Unless the PI is different. The Consulate in Almaty does not even let USC in unless you are there for a specific reason and usually you need to call them in advance to make an appointment.

So she will still attend the interview alone. She will still have to navigate the process within the Embassy alone. You will have to endure the waiting alone outside the Embassy. After presenting this to her, ask her how your traveling there will help. Save the money and spend it on a nice trip once she is in the US .

Good luck and she will be fine,

Dave

The Philippine Embassy allows the petitioner to attend the interview and if fact go through the entire process with the beneficiary. In some cases where there are potential red flags having the petitioner there seems to make a difference.

Ok thanks for the replies

Accidental multiple posts

You realize that's for K-1, right?

Ronzkie is chasing a CR-1/IR-1 visa.

Thanks Darnell, I stand corrected and accept the giant crow that I am now eating. Apologies for the mis-information

I had my interview on May 7. I didn't attach my passport photos on the DS-156 form. They already have our pics (assuming that you submitted your passport photos during your medical at SLEC). I remember when I was at SLEC, they placed my pics in a small ziplock. During my interview at the embassy, I saw them staple the ziplock (still with my pics in it) to my forms. I hope this answers your question.

As for the DS-156 form, just fill it our once then print 2 copies.

Good luck!

Thanks alot. This does help.

LYRICALAN, how many days you receive your manila case # since approval?

Got mine on the 12th day. You have to call though everyday if you want to get going sooner in the process. I have not received confirmation in the mail yet, only got the case number by calling them.

AFTER Case Completed @ NVC stage whats next?!

NVC told us that are case was completed last May 3,2013

Now whats next?

how willbe able to track our papers if it is forwarded in MNL /US CONSULATE-EMbassy in our country?

will i receive a letter? how long?

(Some says they didnt receive any letter for interview schedule & confirmation)

(Some says they received it but too late because they already left for USA)

Now whats the best thing to do to keep track and be informed as to where my case leads?

thank you very much /Thanks for replies and help

The info from the other post is not country specific for the Philippines. Following is a copy and paste from Hank. Follow these instructions and disregard the other post (no dis-respect to the other poster).

After NOA2 AND YOU HAVE YOUR MNL #

(don't need to wait for the letter from the embassy )

Once you have your MNL # you can take your passport and required visa fee (in Php) to BPI and pay your visa fee. The embassy website states that within 4 hours of paying at BPI you can schedule your interview appointment but most times it seems to take about 24 hours.

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

When scheduling online with the embassy you need to include the "XX" at the beginning of the passport number, your passport number IS your receipt number (normally).

Priorty Date; this is the date the NOA 1 was accepted.

Make sure to print two copies of the interview confirmation page as you will need one for St. Luke's and the other for the embassy.

for DS forms

http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/visa/

Embassy (Manila) Phone Number (and email)

(632) 301-2000, extension 5184 or 5185 (local number: USEM 3012000 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.

***

Have copies of passport bio page, confirmation page from scheduling interview online at embassy, and of course the 2X2 photos. (copy of annulment is asked for at times)

http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

Preregister at St. Luke's, it saves time when you arrive.

CFO: ALL exiting required to attend. Things have changed with CFO, for sure follow the link and read the website

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: copies of; CENOMAR, certified birth certificate, bio page of passport, visa page from passport, pictures together, from USC - bio page of passport, birth certificate, divorce decree (if been married before) are the most common. The "other documents" clause can be ANYTHING with those nit-wits at CFO.

Good day! I just want to make a follow-up question. Do we have to generate 2 original 156 or we just fill up then print one then make 2 copies?

Hmmmmmm.......That's a good question since there is a bar code on the form. I filled one out and made a copy, I am assuming this is correct but maybe someone else can chime in.