How is the government to blame when the OP failed to follow the written instructions and fail to provide the required evidence?
Instead of the generalization that it is the government's fault when someone gets an RFE and mischaracteres it as a rejection/denial, let's focus on why people get RFEs. Generally, it's the failure to follow written instructions.
Don't bother waiting for the letter, for many it NEVER arrives (PhilPostal sucks). If you don't have your MNL # follow the instructions below for contacting NVC. If you have your MNL # ... its rock 'n' roll time!!!
For the NVC:
Checking on your embassy case number:
It will take 7 - 10 days business for NVC to receive your file from USCIS after you receive the NOA2, then another 2 - 5 business days for NVC to get your file in there system and get the MNL # from USEM. 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 highly recommend you email NVC for the MNL #, even if you call and get it, this will give you a correspondence from NVC with the MNL # for future reference.
(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.
LETTER FROM NVC WITH MANILA NUMBER
When you get the letter from NVC stating the MNL #, scan and email a copy to your fiancee to bring to St. Luke's. Or simply forward the emmail from NVC with the MNL # to your finacee.
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. (you may have to change the border from .75 to .25 for printing for it all to print on one page, also some have been asked at BPI for three copies of the deposit receipt, why I don't know)
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. You can schedule the interview online or by calling the numbers listed below.
Once you have registered you can then schedule the interview. https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/
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_rtf2_001.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)
(local number: 632-301-2000 extension 5184 or 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.
Income and Co-sponsor
The petitioner's income MUST meet or exceed 125% of the I-864P poverty guidelines for the number of persons listed on the tax return plus those petitioned for the K-1 visa. http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf This isn't horseshoes - close doesn't count.
Co-sponsors with the K-1 visa normally are not accepted at USEM, there have been exceptions but normally the embassy will deny the visa if a co-sponsor is used to meet income requirements. Exceptions that have been accepted use a family member as the co-sponsor (a friend will not be accepted), use the I-864 along with the required I-134 (and supporting documents; tax return, W-2, pay stubs...) for Evidence of Support.
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IN A HURRY? Pick up your visa at MOA! -> -> http://blogs.usembassy.gov/philippines/?p=1533
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INTERVIEW DAY: Remember no electronics are allowed in the embassy; no cell phones, no cameras, no memory stiks. And no food.
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St. Luke's:
(GUYS if you are in the Phils with your Fiancee before the medical NO "personal" 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, copy of NVC letter when MNL# is assigned (I added this as SLEC has been asking for this letter or a letter from the embassy that lists the assigned MNL #) 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 and a psychological evaluation could be required if psychological incapacity is listed as the reason in the annulment)
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
The medical is normally a two day process, shots are given on the 2nd day.
~TB sputum notes; If you have to do the culture test, keep close track of the visa validity date (when you receive as it is tied to the initial medical date, so you will be short of the 6 months, you may only have 90 to 120 days before the visa expires.
~TB treatement notes; If you have to do the 6 months of treatment you will have to pay for a second medical at completion.
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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.
When you get to the 3rd floor, You'd be asked to fill up an Information Sheet. (Yes, you have to fill it up there, It's not the downloadable one on the CFO website.) Make sure you answer ALL questions/fields. Rendering this incomplete will be one of their criterias for you to be "HELD/ON HOLD" for one on one counseling.
Information Needed on the Form:
- Basic Information about you, the fiance(e)/spouse (Name, Address, Birthday, etc.; Your Birthplace is important too, specify which city/town/area/province)
- Basic Information about your petitioner (Sometimes you are going to be asked for the Birth Certificate copy)
- FULL MAIDEN NAME of fiance(e)/spouse's MOTHER
- Contact person in the Philippines, specifically immediate family as in Father, Mother, Siblings.
- Landline Number of Petitioner. (I know, I know, most of you guys don't use landlines now. That's what was running through my mind too.) If no landline is available, Landline of Petitioner's Nearest Relative or Petitioner's Neighbor.
- Petitioner's Educational Attainment, Degree/Course, Occupation
- Information on Petitioner's Divorce/Annulment/Death of previous wife or husband. You must have a copy of the Divorce Decree/Death Certificate.
- ZIPCODES. Both the petitioner and the beneficiary. Never forget to write those down.
** 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) Bring the ID of the parents, plus copies, postal ID should be adequate.
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 detailed 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).
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Travel Fees:
Travel Tax/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.
http://www.tieza.com.ph/pages-what-are-the-travel-tax-rates.php
Terminal/Airport Fee: 550 Php (currently)
POE Update
There has been a change regarding the I-94, you are no longer give this form during the flight to complete and turn in at Immigrations (POE). Immigrations now stamps your passport and the I-94 is done electronically.
For you to get a copy of the I-94 for future requirements go this this website: http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/i-94_instructions/
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html
To those of you bringing your fiancee/fiance to the USA on a K-1 Visa, you should be aware that they are entitled to get a SSN during their 90 days here with you. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO TELL YOU OTHERWISE!!! Shortly after (about 3 weeks) they arrive...go to your local Social Security office and fill out the SS-5 form with them. We did this and were told by a service representative that "she is not eligible to receive a SSN because you are not married yet. So, come back after your marriage and bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate." I questioned the woman giving us this erroneous information and she got very defensive. I asked to speak with a supervisor and she refused to allow me to speak with anyone...saying, "I am sure that I am correct and my supervisor will tell you exactly the same thing!!!" Not wishing to cause a "scene" I walked away and just decided to return after our marriage and get it done. WRONG THING TO DO!!! What happened next? Our marriage was scheduled about a week prior to the expiration of her K-1 Visa and I-94 entry permit. When we returned to the Social Security office this time (with our marriage certificate) we were turned down a second time. This time because we were within 14 days of the expiration of her I-94. The woman who told us this asked, "Why didn't you get Elsie's SSN shortly after her arrival into the USA? She qualifies under the terms of the K-1 Visa." I went ballistic and demanded to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor called over the first woman who gave us this incorrect information and spoke with her. She acknowledged that she had in fact given out erroneous information and apologized profusely. Still...NOTHING COULD BE DONE because we were within this "14 day window" and they could do nothing to give Elsie her SSN. Now, I have filed a formal complaint against this woman and her supervisor is "looking into" the problem to see if anything can be done. However, he did tell me that he doubts that anything can be done.
The problem with NOT having a SSN for your K-1 is that they are locked out from getting many things that are needed to begin their new life with you in the USA. My bank will not allow Elsie to be added to my account UNTIL she has a SSN. The K-1 cannot get a driver's license or a state issued ID, they cannot get insurance, they can't hardly get a library card!! The SSN card that they receive will have printed on it..."Not Work Authorized"...but, this is not that important. We all know that the K-1 cannot work legally until they receive their Work Authorization aka Green Card with their Permanent Residency.
Just ranting and raving a bit about this because I am frustrated tonight. But, IF I can save several of you from making the same mistake, this may be worth it. Good Luck to all of you at VisaJourney!!
Any ideas on what else I might do???
Regards,
Franc
