Milmauka

Just sent monthly unemployment insurance money to the Phils through WU.  Happy days are here again.  Transaction took a couple of hours!  Bank to bank, 47.54 exchange rate.

Well, financial assistance was not necessary until Covid hit.  Prior to Covid, monthly allowance was not necessary, but stuff happens and you adjust.  

Well since my wife and 2 children are there I obviously support them.

Well, financial assistance was not necessary until Covid hit.  Prior to Covid, monthly allowance was not necessary, but stuff happens and you adjust.  

@RO_AH  Yes, we have chatted about this before.  I still find WU better on the exchange rate than Remitly.  However, my last 2 months of sending money have been a nightmare.  Maybe it is because I was just too spoiled with the instantaneous transfers I have been getting before 2 months ago.  Now it takes like 7 business days for the money to be deposited into the Philippines account.  Frustrating, WU says it is because the PI bank is doing security checks.  Who knows for sure.  Anyways, I still will use WU because of the better exchange rate.  I just need to start the transfer earlier and allow for 7 days transaction.

They are asking the judge about adding plaintiffs. This suit is $2000 a couple but do your homework first. The state department and the lawyers warn that there is little to no impact on plaintiffs outside of the Schengen Area, UK, Ireland, Iraq, Brazil and China. Make sure to talk to the lawyer before you send money that may be wasted. 

I was kind of shocked to be honest. I guess they have finally started processing again.

Can anyone fathom to guess when the Philippines will commence routine visa work again? It's been nearly a year since these services stopped. 

I have no idea. I didn't get involved in any of the suits because I thought they were more of a "sign this petition" deal and wouldn't get anywhere. 

While I appreciate that. It was not the reason my case was expedited. It was the lawsuit Milligan V Pompeo that got it moving. The Government wants to have the lawsuit dismissed. So they are pushing plaintiffs out by adjudicating our visas. I did not pay 5,000 dollars. 
 
my expedite request got denied. 
 
It was the Lawsuit. PERIOD.

Sure, I’m happy to help. Full discretion, these are the instructions given by just this one person I spoke with. We can only hope that this will actually work. 
 
They stated that I should put in the request via the Public Inquiry Form
- Go to NVC.state.gov/inquiry
- Fill out the necessary information
- In box titled “Type your question below” I was instructed to write exactly the following: “I am the petitioner and I wish to change the interview location to ______. Attached is principal applicant’s proof of residency for _______.”
- Add proof of residency using the attachments. This can be a residency card or the bio page of principal applicant’s passport. 
 
 
For my case specifically, I was instructed to write that I wish to change the interview location to Caracas Venezuela, despite the fact that we do not have an operating embassy in Caracas currently. The agent said that I had to put Venezuela because my fiancé’s passport is for Venezuela, but they will know that it is going to Bogota. 

Can you provide the instructions that were given on what to say, who to address to and what to put in the subject line? Others will appreciate your help. 

Yes June may be the earliest, but at this point anything is just a guess now.  The concerning thing in the APAC region is how serious these countries are taking this new virus variant.  Its been found in Thailand and is partially being blamed for the sharp increase in case count in a country that had no cases in many months.  Japan is taking it serious, Philippines who tend to be a follower in anything medical is kind of copying other countries.  With the recent ban of 20+ countries (including the US) for at least two weeks and very likely extended, my feeling is 3rd quarter or early 4th quarter of this year where things may slightly normalize.  Indonesia was to open in January (at least Bali) and that was canceled, Thailand doesnt expect the vaccine until at least May and the Philippines will be similar timeframe.  It will then take 3-5 months to start getting enough people vaccinated.  Countries tend to look at the US on how they are rolling out this vaccine and all they see is a disaster or a country that is way behind.  If the US is behind on vaccinations, you can probably count developing countries to struggle as well even if they dont have the logistical issues (distance).
 
Also, the Philippines just announced that even if your vaccinated, you will still be required to do a two-week quarantine and PCR test coming in on international flights.  This was a direct message to their citizens who are coming back from overseas and have been vaccinated, but this will also apply to foreigners.  How long this last is unknown but could be for quite awhile. 
 
The other thing and whats probably effecting the US embassy is travel to Manila and back to the province is still extremely difficult and restrictions probably wont be loosened until 3rd quarter of this year.  Even coming back to Manila now, you need a negative PCR test in the province first.  I said months ago and its not entirely fair, but the US Embassy should at least start processing K1s on applicants who are based in Manila.  Even though this may mean some people will jump over others, it will help eliminate some of the massive backlog that is now present.  People who are in Manila have no restrictions on getting to the Embassy.  
 
 
 
 

It is all speculation at this point. June 2021 is my personal estimate, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see any real movement until 2022.

Regular visa services? I wouldn't expect anything until at least June at the earliest. 

You want Greenbaum answer then you can directly message him. You don’t have to time to read then forum is not for you.

Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to refile anything. 

You'll be okay. No need to refile.

You satisfied the 2 year requirement as in you met within 2 years of FILING THE PETITION.   Relax.

I gave you the simple answer.   The consulate will extend the validity of the petition. 
 
All London has required in the past are updated letters of intent.  The validity extensions are done at the window DURING the interview.  This is all stuff your countless hours of research should have discovered.  You must now wait until they resume routine processing.  

After Moderation review, this thread will remain locked on the basis of multiple Terms of Service violations.
The topic is not to be restarted.
Administrative action, some quite harsh, has been applied to 4 more accounts.
The Terms of Service can be found via the link at bottom of any VJ page.

K-1 Lawsuit has been filed in federal court today - US Immigration News and Discussion - VisaJourney 
K1 lawsuit - K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports - VisaJourney 
File Lawsuit Against NVC - National Visa Center (Dept of State) - VisaJourney
What is the status of K1 Lawsuit? - US Immigration News and Discussion - VisaJourney 
AILA lawsuit - US Immigration News and Discussion - VisaJourney
K1 Expedite Request - K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures - VisaJourney 
K1 Visa Expedite Process for I-129F - K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports - VisaJourney 
K1 expedite request - K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports - VisaJourney
 
Took me less than 5 min to find these links. Don't complain if you are not willing to put in the work to answer your question. I don't feel sorry for those who don't help themselves. Don't worry, I'll show my way out. Good day.
 

Something very strange happened today.....K1 interview date received....couldn't be happier 🙂

Such BS. Even if they started processing visas, with the backlog, you wouldn't get an appointment before Dec 2021. The MRV fee should be recognized indefinitely for those who filed during the pandemic. I paid for three people and with the exchange rate and fees, it was close to $850.

My fiancée had her interview today and was approved! They said her documents should be ready by Christmas!