JenniferNN

Thanks... I also figured best to just check my account in a few days to see if any payment to USCIS has cleared. If not, then I will try again. I have not tried to log in again.. had to "step away" from it all to cool off.

I just tried to pay the immigrant fee with elis... got all the way to the place to insert my bank account info... CLICKED SUBMIT PAYMENT (was careful to only click once) and then the website crashed... to the "grey screen" that said "Unable to load requested page"... So after staring blankly at the screen for what seemed an eternity... I clicked reload page... returned to clear white screen of ELIS... and nothing. I don't know what happened to my payment... I DID NOT RECEIVE any confirmation from ELIS about receipt of payment. I'm afraid to try again for fear of multiple payments being sent. ANY SUGGESTIONS???

Did they not tell you at the time?

Ours for Stockholm for DCF is $230 + postage

For Manila, seems it is also $230

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/401554-dcf-manila-all-set-for-the-interview-i-think/

Thanks.

I've gotten confused in the whole DCF process about the payment. The only money that I have paid so far is the 400plus buck when I filed the I-130. I've got the interview coming up in about a week. HOw much money should I actually take to the US Embassy Manila??? Thanks so much.

Thanks everybody... so it seems that it does not always involve 2 FULL days. It seems like as long as he's there super early he can finish in a decent amount of time each day. That's great.

Hello. My husband is planning to go to St Luke's next week for his Medical Exam. Interview is scheduled March 19. I keep seeing here that it takes a "full 2 days" to complete the process. Is it possible for him to go early in the morning, leave after lunch (even if process is not done), and then return the next day to continue the process. He could even return a third day if necessary. Work schedule makes it difficult for him to plan a FULL day at St. Lukes... anybody out there in VJ land know about this? Thanks so much.

Yes, perhaps they were just confirming. I would love to get any input about her experience. Thanks so much and Good Luck!

Hi, I'm not an expert or anything. My husband is planning to have his medical done at St Luke's in a couple of weeks. The only thing that comes to my mind is the online registration form I filled out for my husband. Did your wife register online before she went to St. Luke's? On the form it asks for a "Visa Preference Category". It's marked as a required field. It's asking for what type of visa you are applying for. My husband is applying for the IR-1 (Spouse of a US Citizen). I assume you would need to put CR-1 (Spouse of a US Citizen under two years of marriage). You can go to www.slec.ph to find the form...

Hope that helps.

Yes, I do have an I card. Infact, before I left the philippines, I paid my annual report fee, and the entry exit fee that i always pay when i leave the philippines. I am in the US now, because I started work here about 4 months ago, but actually, I had a small vacation which lasted around 2 weeks (married my gf), just came back today. Being apart from my wife for more than 7 mos frightens me, so if DCF is considered to be faster, I will definitly consider going back to process it

The whole point of DCF is for US citizens who are living out of the US..and it's MUCH faster than the normal route. I understand it's hard being away from your spouse is hard, so if it's possible for you to arrange with your job to come back and forth during the process (expensive airfare though) then i would highly recommend it.

You should plan to be here (I'm currently in the PH) when she files her I-130. Then it's a bit of a waiting period to get the I-130 approved. I personally waited for about 2 months for our approval. You could go back to the US to work during that time if you needed. After approval you'll get the case number and will then be able to register her Medical Exam (which you do not have to be present for) and then the Interview (which is the BIGGIE, so plan to be there for that). The scheduling of the interview is up to you... the faster you are able to get all the requirements together, the sooner you will be able to schedule the interview (online). I filed my I-130 on November 29, 2012 and have my interview scheduled for March 19. I could have scheduled the interview for February 4, but am awaiting some info for my paperwork.

HOpe that helps.

Hi Guys,

Quick question. I lived in the Philippines for about 8 years, left for the US to work ( stayed for 4 months), returned to the Philippines to marry my long time GF, then returned to the US to work. Since I am a permanent resident in the Philippines, could I still take the DCF route? In what specific procedures do I actually have to be in the embassy?

Hi. Do you have an unexpired permanent resident I-card? Are you in the US now? If so, are you planning to return to the Philippines to begin the DCF procedure???

My husband is dual citizen (born in America to Filipino citizens). He has no ACR card because he holds a Philippine passport as well as an American passport. Can he file for IR1/CR1 for me at the USEM? He's been living in Manila since 2009 and just flies to California, twice a year to visit his family. We've been married for 6 months now. Thanks

As far as I know... if he has American citizenship w/ a US passport and has been living in the philippines for an extended amount of time then he can file DCF at the USEmbassyManila. Just to be sure I would try to call the USEmbassy USCIS office. The contact number can be found on their website. Good luck to you.

thanks everyone for the clarification. Glad to know there is one step I don't have to worry about.

I know that my Filipino husband will need to provide an NBI clearance. But I'm not sure if he needs to provide a police certificate as well... here is what the US Embassy Manila site says about the Police certificate (the 5th on the list of documentation requirements for IV)

5. POLICE CERTIFICATES: A police certificate is required from a country in which the applicant lived for more than one year (six months if you are applying for a K visa) after turning 16 years of age. As with NBI clearances, foreign police certificates should be obtained in any maiden names, married names, aliases or nicknames ever used while in the country in question, including different spellings of all names ever used.

My husband has never left the Philippines, so the only country he's lived in for more than one year after the age of 16 is the Philippines. So am I to interpret this as he needs to get BOTH an NBI clearance AND a Police Certificate from the Philippines???? What's the difference between the two (if any)? Why does the Embassy mention "foreign"... Does that mean outside the Philippines or any country outside the US including the Philippines?

Thanks so much.

Tax forms are only used as "evidence of CURRENT income" for the self employed. Otherwise they are simply the source of information about past tax returns. Current income is how people qualify. So, both the petitioner and joint sponsor will provide INFORMATION from three tax returns but the joint sponsor will also need to show evidence of CURRENT INCOME in the way of pay stubs and/or employer letter. Include the 2012 tax return if it has been filed, otherwise use the 2011. Provide all three if you think it will HELP.

Thanks for clearing up the confusion. I've got a plan now...

Hi Jennifer I just wanted to let you know that they told me today that my I-130 was approved yesterday, 01/31/2013. Now I'm happy, I hope they get it downstairs next week.

YEAH DAVE!!! That's great!!!! Keep me posted.

I'm in the same boat.. I filed Dec 21,2012, got notice of approval today. Should I go to window 38 to get my case number? Or just wait for the mail?

Also, how can I schedule medical checkup for my wife? Is there any info about that? thanks

Hi Scottie,

I'm glad to help in any way that I can. I can tell you that it will probably take the US Embassy (Window 38) to actually "receive" your case and case number, so I would suggest waiting the two weeks...call the IV unit at the USEmbassy...ask if they have received your case. I heard that they are not allowed to release your case number over the phone. If they have received your case, you can then try to email them and request the case number. I tried that but actually received no response. OR you can just wait a month to receive the packet with your case number enclosed...

As for the St. Luke's medical... when you get your case number you can go to the St.Luke's Website and schedule and medical exam online. They prefer that you do that, and I hear it will also expedite your processing time at the hospital (that's what I hear...)All info about the check up is also on the Immigrant Visa section of the US Embassy website. Hope that helps.. Let me know if you have any more questions... It's a crazy process and it's nice to have a place like Visa Journey where we can all help each other. Good luck!!!

Congrats JenniferNN.

Thanks Apple.

Thank you everyone for your very valuable feedback regarding this matter. But I have another inquiry. I recently read that the I-864 is now only REQUIRING the most recent tax form for proof of income. I already have a joint sponsor lined up for my husband since my income alone will not be enough to meet the financial obligation. She will be sending me the past 3 years of her tax returns and all copies of w-2, etc. My husband's interview is set for MARCH 19 at the USEmbassy Manila. SO MY QUESTION IS ---- Which tax return do I need to submit with the I-864??? 2011 or 2012???? Thanks again..

Hi Dave...I went to the Embassy today. Took care of my daughter's Social Security Card and went to window 38 to inquire about my IR case. Officer told me that my case had just been "delivered" to the Embassy yesterday, Monday, January 28. My I-130 was approved January 11. So that tells you that it takes a minimum of 2 weeks for the Embassy to even receive your case. She then told me to wait for the case number to be mailed to me and I should receive it in about 2 weeks. I asked if I could get the case number immediately there, and she obliged. I asked if I needed to give her the DS230 and DS2001 form and she said NO. She told me to submit EVERYTHING at the interview...I scheduled an interview for March 19 online. There are actually several interview dates available in February, but since I'm waiting for some forms (the I-864) from my mother I didn't want to cut the time too short. So next step is to file my taxes for the I-864, have hubby go to the Medical check up at St. Lukes (which I plan to schedule after I finish this message), and go to interview. I hope that helps.

I believe you can just give them your 2 Ds forms at window 38 and get your case number on the spot. Your next payment will be to St. Lukes for the medical and then at the embassy for the visa when you do your interview. Your paperwork will not go to NVC, it stays in Manila.

Oh Ok... I see... so basically everything that I'm reading on the NVC site doesn't really apply to us DCF people since the process on the site is for USC applying in the States... So confusing. Thanks so much for the clarification.

I am going to the Embassy tomorrow to do my daughter's SSN and DS forms. I'll let you know how it goes.

Did you email the DS-230, DS-2001 before or after you paid the fees to the NVC? How did you email the forms that need a signature??? print out, sign, scan, and then email? ALSO HOW DID YOU GET YOUR CASE NUMBER... I haven't gotten our case number yet.

That's great! Thanks for the encouragement.

Have you tried calling the Immigrant Visa Section of USEM? Here: http://manila.usembassy.gov/contact.html

I read here that USEmbassyManila could not give case numbers over the phone, so I inquired via their email address listed on the website. I haven't heard anything from them.

I have to go the USEmbassy next week to take care of my daughter's SSN and that's why I'm wondering if I can get the case number while I'm there and submit the DS forms (as per the suggestion of a fellow DCF filer)... but not sure how payment works in that scenario. Can I pay the fees AFTER I submit the DS-230? So confused.

I submitted I-130 to Manila Consulate on 11/29/12 -- filed DCF with no problem. Approved I-130 on 1/11/13. Email notice said to "wait" for notice of approval (I assume that means via snail mail). I have no case number (not ANY kind of number since DCF Manila)as of yet... of course can not proceed without case number. I'm pretty sure the next step is to pay all the fees to NVC (online)and then submit forms. But I need the case number to do that. I read here that it's best to NOT "wait" for the packet from the embassy and just go to the US Embassy Manila.. with my DS-230 and DS-2001 and ask for case number face to face with officer...and then give them the DS forms there in person...and possibly even try to schedule the interview. BUT...... don't I need to pay before I do that??? *sigh* Can someone who filed DCF Manila please explain... thanks so much. I think I'm getting confused by all the "shortcuts" mentioned here...

Hello I had read one of my friend in other group who were doing the DCF route.. They just paid the $420 during the application. Do you guys have the case number already? If so you can go for medical examination then... Good luck and GOD bless!!!

Here are some information I read from my friend:

REMINDERS:

Try to email or call USCIS Office in Manila after a month or two months after filing the petition for notice of approval.

Email: MPHInquiry.CIS@dhs.gov

Telephone Number: +632-301-2000 (ext. 2224)

2. Once you have the approval, make follow up calls or emails in obtaining Manila Case Number. I got mine after 3 weeks.

Email: IVManilaReplies@state.gov

Telephone Number: +632-301-2000 (ext. 5184 or 5185)

3. After having MNL Case Number, you will be asked to submit DS-2001 and DS-230I. You could send those forms via fax or email.

TIP: Just simply attach the forms in the email. I have faxed those forms but unfortunately Manila IV Correspondence Unit did not be able to receive those.

Fax Numbers: +632 -301-2037 or +632-301-2591

Email: IVManilaAttachments@state.gov

4. Once the information has uploaded in the system (based on DS forms you submitted), you can now set for an interview date via phone or online.

5. Get ready yourself for Medical Examinations at SLEC

6. Be well-prepared for the interview.

Forgive me if this is a silly question.... but how did you email your DS-230 if the applicant's signature is required? Sign the form, scan, save, and then e-mail??? Thanks.