MaryRyan

Hey guys, just scheduled Ryan's appointment for June 10! If he gets approved (prayers) I'm hoping to get him a flight for July 10 so he can be here for my birthday! I'm beyond excited, though scared because I have yet to receive my NVC letter that Hank said he may need for the interview. All fingers crossed I hope it comes in time. If not, I hope the email response from IVmanilareplies will suffice!

By the way I emailed ivmanilareplies and they replied that they got my case but they did not put my MNL number down or anything, can i still print it out?

6:22 PM (4 hours ago)

We received the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)-approved visa petition (Form I-129F) from the State Department’s National Visa Center (NVC) on May 10, 2013 and sent the applicant an interview notification letter, along with a pamphlet on the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA).

K1 visa applicants are required to read the IMBRA pamphlet which provides information on the legal rights available to immigrant victims of domestic violence in the U.S. The applicant may visit this link http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/pamphlet/pamphlet_5725.html for information on IMBRA.

The applicant should visit this website: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph or contact the Embassy’s Visa Information and Appointment Service at (632) 982-5555 or (632) 902-8930 to schedule a visa interview date. The Visa Information and Appointment Service is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, except on Philippine and U.S. holidays. Callers in the USA may contact the Appointment Service at (214) 571-1600 between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time).

Please note that K1 applicants must pay the visa application fee of $240 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. Please note that K-1 visa applicants are required to present a U.S. visa application deposit slip to pay the machine-readable visa (MRV) application fee. Before going to the bank, K-1 visa applicants 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.

There is an expiration date on the deposit slip. Bank agents will not accept payments based on expired deposit slips. Upon payment, the bank will issue a receipt. This receipt cannot be replaced. Applicants will not be able to schedule an appointment without the receipt number.

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

3. Online payment through Bancnet.

For more details regarding K1 visa payment instructions, the applicant may visit a link to our website at http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3023.html.

The applicant should follow all interview preparation instructions for K1 visa applicants located on the Embassy’s website at http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3238.html. The instructions contained on the website will provide the applicant the required documentation and procedures to follow prior to the interview date.

Applicants are advised to have their medical examinations done at St. Luke’s Extension Clinic in Manila 5-7 working days before their visa interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy. Applicants are encouraged to register online at the St. Luke’s website (www.slec.ph) prior to their medical exams.

St. Luke's Extension Clinic is located at 1177 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita, Manila. The phone numbers are (632) 524-6082, (632) 521-0020, (632) 521-8647, and (632) 523-8248.

The applicant should compile all the required documents and complete the medical examination before the interview date (when scheduled). Please note that the medical examination may take more than one day to complete.

Petitioners and applicants may check the status of immigrant and fiancé(e) visa cases via the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) weblink: https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/.

Correspondence Team/gcp | Immigrant Visa Branch | Embassy of the United States of America | Manila, Philippines | +(632) 301- 2000 | https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/ (online case status) | http://manila.usembassy.gov/

Find us online at blogs.usembassy.gov/Philippines

I just checked my status on the MANILA EMBASSY website, mine also says "ready". This makes me so excited, but what exactly does this mean? lol

The receipt number has to be exactly as shown on the BPI receipt. They state 4 hours after payment on the embassy website, but most times its 24 hours.

Do remember it was the weekend and the 13th is a holiday, the embassy is closed on the weekends and will be closed the 13th also, so they will not be updating the information until Tuesday, so if you paid on Friday you will have to wait until Tuesday to be able to schedule.

As for co-sponsors, it can be VERY difficult to predict how the embassy will respond as they don't not normally take co-sponsors with the K-1 visa. It is highly recommended to use the I-864 for yourself and the co-sponsor, along with supporting documents (what you have listed should be good), this has helped with others. There have been some that were approved with a co-sponsor using the I-134, but the I-864 does improve the odds.

There is a link in my signature below for the complete K-1 process

Hank, you're truly a life savior for many of us in this process. VJ is very lucky to have you. I called the MANILA usem last week and they told me not to schedule an appointment until my fiance receives his us embassy letter from manila. He said, they'll be looking for that and can't get a medical or interview without it. But so many people are saying not to wait for the letter. He said it should be a letter stating that we are eligible for an interview and it should have his name on it. Should I still proceed? My case was sent to MANILa on May 1st, and we aren't planning to schedule the interview until June 10-15

We gave up on doing it online. No matter what we got the same reply you are getting. We just called and that was all it took. Much easier......

I think i'm giving up too.. any idea about the 1-134 problem? thanks for the reply

Hi VJ Philippines and US couples,

I'm hoping some of you can help my fiance and I through this process.. We received our MNL number already and our case has been sent to Manila on May 1st, 2013. We have paid the fee at BPI two days ago. I am trying to set an appointment for him online, because he's reallllllly computer illiterate, lol, but a red banner keeps popping up after i type in our "receipt number". I've tried his passport number, his passport number with XX in front, I've tried all the numbers on the receipt copy, and it's the same red banner that pops up.. I'm really hoping there's availability for an interview in early June, because we're really hoping he can be here for my birthday, July 16.

I'm also really nervous because i'm only a working student so my 1-134 may not be sufficient enough. I wrote a letter explaining the need for a CO-sponsor, and his aunt, which is also my bestfriend, filled out a 1-134 of her own, and sent all the necessary documents. Do you guys think it will suffice? I'm so nervous.. Also, my employer didn't write a letter, but I provided 4 most recent pay stubs, and a bank statement letter, and my 1040 and w2 from the last two years.. Do you guys think that will be enough?

Please please please help. Thank you guys so much in advance.. and good luck to all of us, I hope some of us will meet one day. San Diego, here.

Hi, yes we have the MNL # NVC sent it out on may 1st and I just wanted to know if it reached Manila. We have done all documents and requirements except for the medical and CFO seminar (which I believe comes after the interview). But I read we need the embassy letter for the interview day, which is why I don't want to schedule an appointment without knowing when it will come. Will it be an email?

I called and tried to see if my case was there and they asked me to email the question instead? Has anyone had a problem with finding out if their documents have been received? Also, how long does it usually take after the documents to be followed by the embassy letter? And is it an email or snail mail that's brought to my fiances home in Philippines? Thanks guys

Hey guys i became a us citizen through my parents when i was a minor. I have A us passport but not a citizenship certificate. On the 1-134 it asks for the certificate number, can i use my passport number and just Attach a copy of my passport? Ive called so many times and get no direct answer

Help please

Do I send the whole packet of 1-129f to my fiancé in the Philippines? I read somewhere its now online? Please help!

Got my MNL number!!!!

Thanks for the reply guys/gals.

For the I-134 affidavit of support, it doesn't need to me is that correct? Can his aunt be his sponsor since she is more financially secured?

I'm an August 27 filer, got my noa2 on April 22, 2013. I was analyzing how long it would take him to get here, anyone have an idea? Maybe we can make guesses on how long it will take for us to get our lover to us. He's philippines, I'm San Diego. I'm gonna go anything before July 10! Wishful thinking?

Thank you everyone! I'm praying he can get here before July 16, so we can celebrate my birthday together. What a wonderful gift that would be!!

Don't need a book... we all have VJ!

I see your got the NOA2 yesterday... yaaaaahooooo! Now give NVC 7-10 days to get your MNL # and you should be able to rock 'n' roll!

Hank, what are the chances he can get here in july?

Yup for sure you can get things going! And once you have your MNL# you can really rock 'n' roll!

For the NVC:

Check on your embassy case number:

Give them 7 - 10 days before calling. Call after 4:45 PM eastern time for shorter wait times K1's are not tracked through the AVR, ever. They are processed like an immigrant visa, but they are NOT immigrant visas, so they fall into a completely different class of their own. Therefore you need an operator. To get there:

1-603-334-0700 Operator assistance is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 12:00 AM (Eastern Time)

Press 1 for English

Press 5 for an operator

NVC CONTACT INFORMATION:

Website: www.immigrantvisas.state.govwww.immigrantvisas.state.gov

E-mail: NVCInquiry@state.gov (I found NVC to be very quick responding to emails)

REQUIRED SECURITY INFORMATION:

You are required to provide the following security information with each inquiry to receive a case specific response:

* NVC Case Number or USCIS Receipt Number (Place in the subject line of the e-mail).

* Petitioner's name and date of birth.

( NOTE: If the visa petition is employment-based, include the employer's company/organization name instead of the petitioner's name and date of birth. )

* Principal Applicant's name and date of birth.

Manila Embassy:

NOW THAT YOU HAVE YOUR MNL # (don't need to wait for the letter from the embassy )

(NOTE: When getting NSO certified copies of your Birth Certificate get a few extra copies for bringing to the States with you. You will need them from time to time)

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3023.html

Once you have your MNL # :

You can pay your nonimmigrant visa application fee with cash or debit card at any Bank of Philippine Islands. Before going to the bank, you must print the applicable U.S. visa application deposit slip available below on this page. Take the printed deposit slip with you to pay your fee. If you print a deposit slip in advance of the day in which you plan to make your payment, please take note of the expiration date on the deposit slip. If the expiration date passes prior to using the slip to make your payment, simply return to this site and re-click the appropriate link below to generate a new deposit slip. Bank agents will NOT accept payments based on expired deposit slips. Upon receiving of your payment, bank will issue you a receipt. Save your receipt. It cannot be replaced if it is lost. You will not be able to schedule an appointment without your receipt number.

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

Select the deposit slip that matches your visa application fee from the list below. Values are shown in U.S. dollars and native currency. This page has more information about the different visa application fees.

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

For K-1 the fee is $240

After you have paid the visa application fee, keep the BANK receipt for your records. It cannot be replaced if it is lost. You will not be able to schedule an appointment without your receipt number.

If you have an account with either Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) or BancNet you may choose to pay your visa application fee online using their online bill pay services. Click on either of the links below if you are a BPI or BancNet customer and wish to make an online payment.

If you are paying for more than one applicant, please DO NOT make a lump sum payment for all the applicants. A UID/receipt number is required for each visa application fee payment for EACH applicant for scheduling an appointment. After you have paid the visa application fee, please keep the fee receipt for your records.

Receipt Format

Note: If you have a Bank of Philippine Islands receipt, your fee receipt number should be your passport number. If something other than your passport number appears in the circled area on the graphic, use that information as your receipt number. This receipt number verifies your payment and allows you to schedule your visa interview

When scheduling online with the embassy you need to use the receipt number as shown on the payment receipt from BPI.

Priorty Date; this is the date the NOA 1 was received. You will not find the priority date entered on the NOA2, you will only find it on the email/letter from NVC when you get your MNL #.

Make sure to print three copies of the interview confirmation letter/page (if you scheduled online) as you will need two for St. Luke's and the other for the embassy.

(open all of these links then save them to your bookmarks so you have them for easy access)

Embassy Letter:

(This is the Instruction Letter from the Embassy - you need to complete everything listed here)

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3224.html

In English: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction_rtf2_002.pdf

In Tagalog: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/K1instructionTag%20rtf3%20_2__rtf2_013.pdf

(The DS-156 can be difficult to complete sometimes, if you have issues try a different browser.)

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/

Information for meeting the Poverty Guidelines and using additional assets (it may be referring to the I-864 but its valid for the I-134 also):

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3183.html#22

Poverty Guidelines: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

Embassy (Manila) Phone Number (and email)

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

IN A HURRY? Pick up your visa at MOA! -> -> http://blogs.usembassy.gov/philippines/?p=1533

************ INTERVIEW DAY: Remember no electronics are allowed in the embassy; no cell phones, no cameras, no memory stiks. And no food. **************

***

St. Luke's:

(GUYS if you are in the Phils with your Fiancee before the medical NO contact until AFTER St. Luke's is completed - as in KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS)

http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs

Have copies of passport bio page, confirmation page from scheduling interview online at embassy (or if the embassy mails a confirmation letter bring a copy of that) (NVC Instructions Letter is for IR/CR-1 visa), and of course the 2X2 photos. (copy of annulment is asked for at times)

PREREGISTER at St. Luke's website, it saves time when you arrive. http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

Information from the embassy about the medical: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3218.html

***

CFO:

ALL exiting required to attend. There have been changes regarding CFO so for sure read through their website.

Update: Please check the schedule of the counseling session before proceeding to CFO because it is country-specific and the slots are limited only to 15 per session (two sessions per day) for Manila and 12 per session (only one session a day) for Cebu. It is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

CFO Online Registration Form: http://www.cfo.gov.ph/pdf/downloadable%20forms/registrationform.pdf Complete this and print a couple copies to bring to the CFO seminar, it will save you time.

http://www.philembassy.no/sites/default/files/downloads/new_gcp_flyer.pdf

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

** From the Family Code of the Philippines: it's 21-25 years old for advice and 18-21 years old for consent. (Some are posted on VJ that they were not asked for this, yet others have been asked, so be prepared)

Art. 14. In case either or both of the contracting parties, not having been emancipated by a previous marriage, are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one, they shall, in addition to the requirements of the preceding articles, exhibit to the local civil registrar, the consent to their marriage of their father, mother, surviving parent or guardian, or persons having legal charge of them, in the order mentioned. Such consent shall be manifested in writing by the interested party, who personally appears before the proper local civil registrar, or in the form of an affidavit made in the presence of two witnesses and attested before any official authorized by law to administer oaths. The personal manifestation shall be recorded in both applications for marriage license, and the affidavit, if one is executed instead, shall be attached to said applications. (61a)

Art. 15. Any contracting party between the age of twenty-one and twenty-five shall be obliged to ask their parents or guardian for advice upon the intended marriage. If they do not obtain such advice, or if it be unfavorable, the marriage license shall not be issued till after three months following the completion of the publication of the application therefor.A sworn statement by the contracting parties to the effect that such advice has been sought,together with the written advice given, if any, shall be attached to the application for marriage license. Should the parents or guardian refuse to give any advice, this fact shall be stated in the sworn statement.

Examples (from Quezon City):

Advice of Parents: http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/images/stories/downloadables/forms/parentadvice.pdf

Consent to Marry: http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/images/stories/downloadables/forms/consenttomarriage.pdf

TRACK YOUR VISA/PASSPORT AT THE EMBASSY

State Dept. visa tracking: https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx? (not updated or as accurate as the USEM website)

Here is a link for requirements for receiving your passport with the visa, there are also options for tracking the status of your visa/passport is currently. You can also change delivery options.

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-passportretrieve.asp#trackingoptions

If your application was temporarily refused under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, you can now check the status of your application online.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/adminprocessing2.html

2GO CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR CHECKING DELIVERY

2Go customer service hotline (+632) 5287-136 is available Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

TRACK YOUR PASSPORT/VISA THROUGH 2GO

http://supplychain.2go.com.ph/CustomerSupport/etrace/index.asp Enter your MNL number or passport number or UID number off the embassy confirmation letter (online confirmation page by bar code).

**

Travel Fees:

Exit Fee for all those immigrating: 1620 Php (currently) Can be paid at the airport if its not included with the purchase of your airline ticket.

Airport Fee: 550 Php (currently)

*****

Thank you so much! this is a lot of help! You should write a book for post NOA2 for dummies! This is wonderful, thanks so much again

Hi, guys. Contacting the senator and congressmen didn't help me. But I received my NOA2 last night! It's still worth a try for those still waiting! But CSC looks like they're back on track! good luck everyone

Congrats!~!

Congratz...

Are you ready for a shortcut in the process? Okay, in a couple of weeks, start calling the National Visa Center (NVC) every day until they give you your MNL case number. Once you have your MNL case number, the beneficiary can pay the visa application fee at BPI and book an interview appointment. The beneficiary can also complete the medical at St. Lukes.

Don't wait for the Embassy to send you their letter because it will add another month or more to the process. Just get your MNL case number from the NVC and get going.

I appreciate this so much! I definitely will do this. I have read that some require the medical to be the same day as the interview? Is this information valid? Also, to clarify, I have to wait for the packets and letter of approval, fill it out, pay the fees (if there is any) and then send it to my fiance in the Philippines, right? Until I do that he's not allowed to be interviewed without a copy of an I129F packet and proof of ongoing relationship etc. Anyone know where I can print all the documents I need to fill out?

Thank you sooo much everyone! I was wondering if anyone knew how long the processing is after the noa2 for him to get here. He is from pgilippines

Omg... it's come.. it's' finally come guys! I'm freaking out I wanna scream but it's 12:30am so I can't!!! OMG OMG OMG no text no email, just saw it on INS website. My fiance was home from work so I was sooooo happy

Is there something wrong with igors list because I see a lot of posts of approvals for today, April 19, but only see one posted on igors list?

Hi, would you mind sharing the direct email address that you used? I'm an August 27 filer... I hope I'm soon!!

My August siblings our time has come! Congrats to all who have been approved and cheers to many more to come! I have found the hope I lost several months ago! I feel it, we will be reunited with our lover soon! I'm cheering

On bayareaguy and moondream and then hopefully me! Lets go CSC!!!!!

I think that comes with the territory. My fiancé and I are from the same province in Philippines. Our families are close, we played together In diapers, I came to America when I was 4 and went to visit several years later and we fell in love. But all my friends and family are very cautious as Philippines is a high fraud country. And that's a man that my family saw grow up. What helps me is to know that I'm worth more than being used, and I'm worthy of a him to truly love me. Maybe that will help your fiancé with her stress. Being the girl petitioning the man is hard, but when you're in love, you walk on nails and run through fire. I hope things get easier for her, because its truly hard being one against the world. My fiancé also does contests and won a title so people always say "he's so handsome he has to be using you to get to america.." yeah, it hurts but I try not to think about it.. There's pictures of him on my profile. Good luck to you and your fiancé I hope she never feels what I feel!