yannix

 

Nope.. Do your research...

Obama has the power to and from the look of things he will..

Have you been following the news lately? I don't think so

He already started quietly..

The Haitians are the first on the list

That unfortunately is not immigration reform. If you think otherwise, i suggest you look up the meaning of the word "reform". Then you'll understand why what the executive branch did to the Haitians wouldn't even come close to the meaning of the word.

 

True!

I called NVC and was told that they haven't received an interview date but i can call again next week to check cos she believes they're still scheduling for November. And i thought, November was full. So i check the calendar, and true enough. there are hundreds of spots opened up for November. It's weird cos there were only 3 yesterday.

Is that normal?

I can't speak for the open spots online as I'm not familiar with what pattern it follows. As for NVC still scheduling for November at this time, that is definitely not normal.

Maybe there's weak demand these days. I guess that situation bodes well for you. Maybe you will get a mid-late November slot then.

Btw, the IL email comes in within a day of them scheduling your interview. There's really not much upside to calling NVC (and it's long wait times) for that.

 

I'm tired of these petitions. In the past.. They did nothing...

Obama has promised he's going to act with executive power immediately after November elections.

That means he's going to implement a new immigration reform policy with or without the approval of Congress.

Republicans say he's joking

Though from past experience, I don't trust obama especially now that he's playing politics with the whole thing but till then all I have to do is wait

I apologize if this would come across as harsh but what were you expecting from a whitehouse petition?

A White House petition is just that, a petition. After a set number of signatures, they have to respond. Respond could merely mean issuing a statement. That itself is useless to us since we are expecting some action.

The White House (really the executive branch) can't do an immigration reform without Congress' help. That's just the way the system is designed.

I personally find these petitions (not just immigration ones, all of them) to be a complete waste of time.

A better way is to write a letter to your Congressman or Senator.

 

Thanks, I am in the process of filling out the DS-260 online. Just wish NVC had indicated that in the interview letter because a lot of applicants who were affected by the retrogression and had submitted the DS-230's several years back would think they need not fill out the online applications anymore.

I know how you feel about this. A good way to think about this, it's a US Embassy Manila requirement as opposed to NVC. You're done with NVC and you've moved on and dealing with a different entity now. Each embassy can have it's own set of things it requires from applicants that's why it's important to check. Looking at the bright side, at least you knew about it before your interview as opposed to later

 

Thanks! I hope so too. Was hoping for November but they're full per the online scheduler.

In your case, the online calendar doesn't apply. Even if there are slots in November, they generally won't give it to you as NVC (and USEM) needs time to get your physical casefiles sent over and processed.

 

I have a question, I hope you guys can answer me, My wife she have interview in Islamabad, can she request to have interview in us consulate in Karachi instead of travelling to Islamabad.

It's an option but will add considerable amount of time for her case to be transferred to a different embassy.

 

I have IR-5 and got CC yesterday, Anxiously waiting for that IL email.

Congrats. Hopefully you'll get it in the next batch of IL scheduling for December.

 

So do we have to scan and upload all the paper documents (birth and marriage certificates, Passports, NBI/Police Clearances etc) that we already submitted to NVC four years ago as part of the DS-230 submission?

No but you have to bring updated versions of them if they are expired. The USEM link above will tell how "fresh" the documents have to be to be accepted by USEM.

 

Got cc today. How long ussually does it take to get an interview scheduled

For IR1/CR1. Anywhere from 1 week to 3 months. If I would be forced to guess, you'll get your IL in about than 2-3 weeks maybe less.

Your interview date will be roughly a month or so after getting the letter.

HTH

 

No, it was the paper application (DS-230) that we submitted 4 years ago under F4, and then the priority date retrogressed.

It is now current again and all the documents we submitted were sent by NVC to the US Embassy in Manila for the interview, which

is scheduled for November.

I think the announcement from the US Embassy about all applicants needing to fill out DS-260 online prior to interview applies to everyone,

including those who already submitted DS-230 a while back. I just want to check if others are in a similar situation with us.

 

Ahh got it. I believe you need to submit the DS260. IIRC, NVC mandated everyone to do the online form starting from Sept 1, 2013. There were some people who previously submitted the DS230 that were INSTRUCTED to do DS260.

I suggest a quick call to NVC/USEM just to clarify. Goodluck.

 

The US Embassy in Manila recently posted the announcement below on their website:

---------------

NOTICE TO IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS

Starting October 02, 2014, all immigrant visa applicants are required to complete a DS-260 online immigrant visa application at https://ceac.state.gov/ceac prior to attending their visa interview appointment.

Applicants who appear for an interview without completed application forms will be advised to reschedule the interview by visiting the online appointment website at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph or by calling the Embassy’s Visa Information and Appointment Service at (632) 982-5555 / (632) 902-8930.

If you are asked to reschedule your interview because your DS-260 is incomplete, please note that the next available appointment may be three to six weeks after your original appointment. To avoid lengthy delays, please complete the DS-260 well in advance of your interview date.

-----

Does this requirement include those who have already submitted their paper application forms to NVC and are documentary qualified? We are scheduled for interview next month, and the NVC indicated that they sent all the paper forms to the US embassy in Manila for the interview.

But I'm curious if we still have to fill out the online application prior to the interview.

Thanks!

Depends on what type of immigrant visa you are applying for. But in general yes, you need a completed DS260. If you completed a DS260 during the NVC process (e.g. non expedited family cases), there is no need to complete another one. HTH.

 

IV fee for I-130 petition as of 9/14/2014 is $325

Wow. That's a significant increase ...

 

Definitely the case. Going through this process for one and only time it is all so confusing what with K-1, K-3, CR-1, I-129, I-130, 2 different kinds of AOS, etc, etc.

Add to that very excellent walk throughs and guides, although some are outdated, referencing queues instead of online scheduling, not specifically indicating for which type of visa the guide is for, and on top of that dealing with government talk from 2 different countries, it is all very daunting. Especially when wanting to have all t's crossed and i's dotted so as to not delay the process, the frustration level becomes elevated rapidly.

All that being said, the advice both my wife and I are receiving from this board is superb. And FWIW as indicated above not only has the expected IV fee increased but also the AOS fee which is now $120 versus previous $88. Missed it by 8 days!

Thanks again for your reply. It confirms what I thought but just wanted to make sure. Now we are just in the waiting mode which I doubt cannot be accelerated.

Jim

You're welcome. BTW, how much is the IV fee these days?

 

Apparently after AOS review, the NVC will be advising me of fees due $265 payable to them via on-line ACH transfer.

Several guides available here reference the ustraveldocs.com/ph website indicating that that there is a $165 fee payable by cash only in the Phils by the beneficiary prior to the interview process.

Are these 2 separate and distinct fees necessary to obtain a CR-1 visa?

TIA

Jim

I think you are mixing CR1 and K1 fees.

There is no fees you need to pay in the Philippines aside from SLEC medical checkup for a CR1.

All other fees have to be paid in the US. The NVC fees, called AOS Fee (88$), and the IV fee ($230) can be paid using ACH (US banks only). A paper check or money order is also an option but would add considerable amount of time.

The only other fees you would have to pay is "green card printing fee". You can do this after getting the visa using the USCIS ELIS website.

HTH

 

It is my understanding that the USCIS/NVC will eventually forward all previously provided documents to the USEM.

I have read in various guides that my asawa needs to provide AOS and substantiating documents when at interview.

Does this mean she should take a copy of my previously filed AOS sent to the NVC or will their copy suffice?

And another quick question.... Is it currently really taking the NVC up to 60 days to process the AOS file? Got their form letter indicating that his week and was possibly hoping for a faster turn.

TIA (Thanks In Advance)

Jim

If your AOS was based on 2012's income, you need to provide her an updated (2013) one. If not, then you're okay.

 

My fiancé called the nvc once. But there was a problem with my birthday that's why they didn't give him out case number. We got our case number when I called the embassy..

NVC won't give you the details if you can't verify both petitioners and beneficiary's information.

As for getting email, you will only get emails if you gave NVC your email address to add to your case. You should have gotten a letter via snail mail though. How long has it been since they assigned you a case number?

 

That makes sense. In your opinion, is there a greater risk of document loss or misplacement if the embassy receives the medical results before the case is complete?

While this is always a possibility, the risk of document loss is no greater or lesser if doing it before the case is complete as opposed to after case completion. Just because the case is complete (or even after getting the interview letter), doesn't really mean the embassy has your case files. There is a bit of a lag. What I'm basically saying is the embassy deals with this situation where the medical gets there before the case files all the time.

The downside is like you pointed out, the medical can expire before you finish. The upside is you get a bit of a headstart in case you get the dreaded sputum test.

Based on your dates, assuming no more checklists, you would be looking at a December interview (if you make it to the scheduling cutoff date) or January/Feb (if you miss it).

Goodluck

 

You misread somewhere, tickets purchased online and aboard are exempted.

"On Tuesday, the MIAA clarified that if the airline ticket is purchased online or abroad, these exempted passengers would have to pay terminal fee."

Nope, you're missing the part after that. There's a continuation after that statement. What MIAA is saying is everyone has to pay if purchasing online or abroad. If you are exempt, you claim the refund.

Doesn't make sense for the EXEMPTED passengers to have to pay the terminal fee physically at the airport right?

That will "solve" her issue with the airline but the immigration officers will still only give her a 1 year max stay (asssuming she can prove balikbayan status). I'm not sure if this is extendable. As for proof, an expired Phil passport will do or birth cert as stated above.

 

I suppose we are too used to the US government, which butchers just about every roll out it tries. As for the Philippines government, I was impressed by the smooth roll out of the CFO reservation system, so I am willing to wait and see if this goes just as smoothly.

I would rather see it included in the ticket price to reduce the amount of cash needed to be handled at the airport.

Ideally, this would be the best scenario but how they chose to implement it (without any regard for those exempted) is wrong. This would be similar to the travel tax collection confusion, there are just too many exemptions to deal with.

 

Trouble there is they only include it for ticket purchased within the Phils.

They are planning to include it even for tickets purchased outside the Phils. How they can enforce or implement this ... who knows.

It's possible since she technically can avail of the Balikbayan visa-free stay of 1 year being a former citizen of Philippines. There's always the risk of the airline stopping her at checkin though.

She also has to bring proof of her old Phil citizenship (old Phil passport, birth cert).

Just out of curiosity, what's the reasoning behind the one way ticket?

The airlines already collect a lot of fees on behalf of various gov't agencies, this is just going to be another added line item. As for people who are exempted from paying the terminal fee, good luck in getting that refund

 

I verified with Delta that the don't collect the Philippine exit tax on tickets originating from other countries, they only collect it for travel originating in the Philippines... Hopefully they will believe the receipt I have for my fiancé showing the Philippine tax collected, and I will pay for just my exit tax.

They are right. They don't collect it as MOST people who originate from other countries are exempt from paying the tax. You will still be asked to pay upon leaving Philippines if they deem you dont' qualify for the exemption.

The fare breakdown printout of your fiance's ticket should suffice as proof of tax payment. As for your ticket, you should not be paying the travel tax as you should be exempted because you are a foreign national (unless you are staying in the Philippines for more than 1 year).

 

No issue to pay the travel tax at the airport. Just have to find the counter... they are remodeling ... and it has moved. I would ask a guard by the luggage scanner when you first walk it, hopefully they can point you in the right direction.

Hank, that was for T1. This would be for T3 since it's Delta.

If you arrive early enough, there is no issue checking in before paying the travel tax. The airline staff should also be able to tell you if you need to pay the tax or not.

Glad to hear that. Good luck to both of you