brittaniquec_Chic

so i'm lost, we are saying don't take it too soon, but don't take it too far away from the interview? What is ideal? and I am not sure of the specific reasons why a week away from the interview date is a bad thing?

Just pick reasonable timeframe between your interview date and medical exam. I took my medical exam 3 weeks early before my interview date.

haahhaha uling you are CRAZY! hahahhaha... what about my trenchcoat? and some ammonia just in case i faint? kah-blug...

a couple of more hours and ill be ready to go.... hahaha you got me all worked up uling!

just finished things that i needed to complete here at work i think. of course there's always the last minute stuff... the OH BEFORE YOU LEAVE... having a lunch meeting, then off to the vet with my kids (puppies) to get their shots. then come back to work and get my performance review. going to guitar center to get something for boytoy's good friend. coming home, checking (for the nth time) paperwork/documents and lurk around vj.... sounds like a plan... busy daaaay! but im anxious, moreso, excited...

Each time I visit this thread is getting crazier and crazier

I'm entertained anyway. Keep going guyz!

Yes, you will need the Tetenus-Diphtheria vaccination and you should be able to get it and the I-693A done at the same time by the same Civil Surgeon. Be sure to bring your DS -2053 (vaccination worksheet) with you to the appointment.

I am not sure what your pastor gave you, however, when we were married by a judge, the copy of the marriage certificate that he gave us was different than the official one we received in the mail the following week from the State. The official one from the State is what we used for the AOS.

Thanks, for shedding the light! Bdw, Is it really true that it will take 60-90 days to get the EAD?

Hi guys!

I'm gathering my docs now for my AOS and the I-693 med thing confuses me. What I have right now is DS-2053 with the list of all the vaccinations I had, but at the bottom part it says that my vaccination history is incomplete since Tetanus-Diptheria is now available in the Philippines. Should I get this vaccination? and at the same time have my DS-3025 transfer to I-693?

Plus, what the difference between the marriage certificate copy that the pastor gave us and the certified true copy?

Anyone can shed light on this?

Thanks a lot!!!

I'll be getting married on Sunday and I wanted to know what should I get first the SSS Id or apply for AOS? Please enlighten me. Thanks!

Hey....what should you do.....hmmmmm....just my 2 cents worth, this is what we did:

Got here April 14, married a month later, THEN applied for a SSN using my married name. I brought with me the filled up form, my passport, my certified copy of the marriage certificate. Was in and out of the SSS office in 45 mins. They processed my card and i got it in the mail a few weeks later.

However, it seems that not all SS offices work the same way. I know of someone who did the same thing i did...got married before applying for the SSN. Unfortunately, the people there said she should have filed for a SSN while she was single, then had the name changed after she got married. But since she is now married and doesnt have the SSN yet, she has to wait for the GC to arrive.

If i remember right, she should have been given the SSN. Like the previous poster above, I suggest you do a search of the post of a fellow member here... md young...his post about the nuances involved in getting the SSN is very helpful...sorry i just could not find the link now.

Well....hope all goes well for you both...enjoy your wedding!

Thanks for the reply. I called the Social Security office(1-800-772-1213) and they told me that I should apply after getting married since I will change my name too.

I'll be getting married on Sunday and I wanted to know what should I get first the SSS Id or apply for AOS? Please enlighten me. Thanks!

I want my fiance to get a copy of the medical exam and vaccination report. Will there be an issue requesting a copy from St. Lukes? Does anyone know or have experience with this...??? Thanks in advance. Cheers!

She will get a copy of the vaccination report and it is adviced that she photocopy it. As for the copy of her medical exam, I don't think that is possible unless you ask the USE.

I asked the releasing nurse if everything was OK with my medical exam and all she told me was they will send it to the USE and I will know on my interview if there are any problems.

Guess there was nothing wrong with my medical, good thing psychiatric exam wasn't required, or I might have been in big trouble. I was really going crazy then!

Hey PW, any news about ur petition? Waiting to hear about your NOA2!

HI Silly,

Are you in the US now?

What a roller coaster ride. After calling the embassy call center yesterday, a very nice lady pretty much made me feel that we were going to have to wait out a CENOMAR check. It had not been processed but was with the CO.

Then out of the blue with no warning from Delbros, the visa was delivered today (Oct 4). So 14 days for us...you can add that to the timeline.

Finally.....I feel happy and exhausted.

Congratulations!

I have good news too. We're approved!!!! Wooohoooo!!!!

More info after i've calmed down a bit.

Congrats!!!

Does anyone know if my fiancee needs to take certified copy of my divorce papers to the interview in Manila, or will copies do? I sent certified copy with i-129f. I can order more, but it is a pain to go to the courthouse.

Thanks,

Rob

During my interview, I have a scanned copy of my fiance divorce paper with me, but they never asked for it.

Even in the CFO seminar one of the requirements is a divorce paper of the fiancee/fiance but when I went there, they never even bother to look at it .

You can scan your original one and send it via email just to make sure, but you dont need to send her the original copy.

Hey silly, sorry to hear about the postponement. Yes, patience is a virtue and I've been virtuous for 18 months now

I know, I read all the old posts. There's a reason for everything and I'm sure everything will go smoothly for you this time.

Got some good news! We called the embassy this morning to ask if we can get an earlier appointment date, and we got it!!!

Our new appointment date is for October 4, Wednesday. Woohoo!!!!!!

Yey!!! God Bless to you on your BIG day!

http://www.smef-cow-phil.org

Steps in CFO Guidance and Counseling Program

Step 1: Guidance and Counseling at SMEF-COW

Accomplishment of CFO Guidance and Counseling form

Payment of P250.00 counseling fee

Attendance in the counseling: group or one-on-one counseling, including IDC

Issuance of SMEF-COW Certificate of Attendance

For Clients who will apply for passport and visa:

Step 2: Issuance of Guidance and Counseling Certificate at CFO

Step 3: Passport/Visa Application

Step 4: Registration at CFO

- Accomplishment and verification of CFO Registration form

- Payment of P250.00 registration fee

Step 5: Release of passport with CFO registration sticker, Distribution of CFO Information Kit

For Clients with Visa

Step 2: Issuance of Guidance and Counseling Certificate at CFO

Step 3: Registration at CFO

- Accomplishment and verification of CFO Registration form

- Payment of P250.00 registration fee

Step 4: Release of passport with CFO registration sticker, Distribution of CFO Information Kit

Counseling Requirements for Filipino Spouses and Other Partners of Foreign Nationals

Two (2) valid identification cards with photograph (i.e. passport, driver’s license, NBI Clearance, SSS or GSIS ID, company ID, professional license card);

Duly completed Guidance and Counseling form (available at CFO or SMEF-COW);

If married, certified true copy and photocopy of Marriage Contract on Security Paper from the National Statistics Office (NSO), or the Local Civil Registry Offices (LCRO); or original and photocopy of Report of Marriage duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/consulate (if married abroad);

Other documents (i.e. divorce or separation papers, photographs, parental consent, letters, other proofs of identity, civil status, etc.) as may be required by the counselors; and

Payment of P250.00 counseling fee.

After receipt of the passport and visa, the Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals will have to register with CFO prior to their departure. Registration is done either in CFO Manila or Cebu Extension Office, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An emigrant registration sticker is affixed to the emigrants passport as proof of registration.

Registration Requirements for Filipino Spouses and Other Partners of Foreign Nationals

Original Passport;

Original and photocopy of visa;

Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound/Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada bound;

Original CFO guidance and counseling certificate;

Duly completed emigrant registration form; and

Payment of the authorized registration fee.

* CFO has a Satellite Office within the C.O.W. building

For the immediate issuance of CFO guidance and counseling certificate and registration sticker after completion of the guidance and counseling session, CFO has established a Satellite Office within the building of C.O.W.

Guidance and Counseling Schedules

Schedule of Guidance and Counseling Sessions in Metro Manila

North America

Destination Country Day Time

United States of America Monday to Friday 10:00 am

1:30 pm

3:30 pm

Canada Tuesday

and Friday 1:30 pm

Schedule of Guidance and Counseling Sessions in Metro Manila

Asia-Pacific

Destination Country Day Time

Japan Monday

to Friday 10:00 am

1:30 pm

3:30 pm

Australia Monday to Friday 3:30 pm

New Zealand

Wednesday 3:30 pm

Taiwan Tuesday

and Friday 10:00 am

Korea

and other

Asia-Pacific Countries Tuesday and Thursday 1:30 pm

Schedule of Guidance and Counseling Sessions in Metro Manila

Europe

Destination Country Day Time

Germany Monday, Wednesday & Friday 1:30 pm

United Kingdom Tuesday

and Thursday 10:00 am

Sweden Monday 10:00 am

Norway Monday 1:30 pm

Denmark Tuesday 3:30 pm

Belgium Wednesday 10:00 am

Netherlands Wednesday 1:30 pm

Italy Thursday 10:00 am

France Friday 3:30 pm

Other

European Countries Monday 3:30 pm

Schedule of Guidance and Counseling Sessions in Metro Manila

Other Countries

Destination Country Day Time

Middle East and African Countries

Thursday 3:30 pm

South / Latin American Countries Monday 3:30 pm

Thanks for copying and pasting what's already on the CFO website. I was hoping someone here would be nice enough to confirm what I'm asking because that website is a bit confusing. First of all what is a Duly completed Emegrant registraton form? I never heard of that.Duly completed Guidance and Counseling form? What is that? Where do you get that do they fill it out there or before? Please someone help.

Hi!

If you're taking the CFO Seminar in Manila, they will do that in CFO Aurora Blvd, infront of PSBA college. Your fiancee can take the MRT (not LRT) and just get down in Katipunan station and can walk from there. Per my experienced, your fiancee can go there around 9 AM because it will start at 10. Their room can hold up to 60 people and there's a slim chance that it will be fully occupied. She needs to show 2 IDs and please do give her your personal information like your address, place of birth, parents name, occupation etc. etc. She will need that in filling up some documents. Take note that this is for her COW. After receiving the certificate of COW, she can now get the CFO certificate and there's a small office in there where she can get that (I'm assuming that she does not have her visa yet, so she cannot get the stamp yet). To get the stamp she needs to come back after receiving the visa and just show the CFO certificate.

Hope it helps.

Annie19, where are you? We need feedback please on the result of your interview. Waiting to hear from sillygirl, tomnjas and titakey.

Hi! I had the unbelivable luck of having the strongest typhoon to hit Manila in 11yrs on my interview day.

My fiance and I went there yesterday, the 28th, for my interview and they told us to come back today. When we came back this morning, the guards told us to call the 1-909 number to get our new appointment date. According to the guard, the embassy's computers got damaged during the typhoon.

I got rescheduled for Oct. 11.

what about you, tomnjas?

Ohhh.. sorry to hear that Sillygirl. I know the feeling of prolonging agony but everything will turn out fine. Now, time to spend some quality time with your fiance and get your butt outta here .

In reply to Yna and Uling...

I paid my visa fee in Philippine Pesos ($100 x the prevailing exchage rate) and I was not asked to present the embassy letter or NOA2 (but I brought it with me just in case). I presented my filled up DS 157 form but BPI did not accept that. They provided me with their own blank DS form and printed the transaction at the back plus they gave me a transaction slip.

I brought mine with me too but i didn't even get to present it. When I told them I'm paying for the USE interview fee, the teller immediately took out their form. Now, have to fill up one form all over again. Lol

Likewise...

Goodluck to Joel and Analyn, Sillygirl, and TomnJas..

Silly,

When are you going to the US?

Happy Anniversary... Can I have my tequila?

Congrats mychelle

Hi guys,

Just popping in, got some few questions in mind. Do I need to get an SS number right away even we're not married yet? I think I bump into some posts where they really advice to get an SSN after getting in the US.

Thanks in advance

P.S.

Am I on the right thread?

Hi all! Need some advice...

how did you answer the questions below?

for DS-156:

22. When Do You Intend To Arrive In The U.S.? (Provide specific date if known)

and DS-157:

18. Have You Made Specific Travel Arrangements? If YES, please provide a complete itinerary for your travel, including arrival/departure dates, flight information, specific location you will visit, and a point of contact at each location

Say I already have a booking, is it okay to write it there?

I know the US embassy's advice is not to make travel plans unless you have your visa but my fiance booked a flight already but made sure there is enough time from the interview date to the flight date.

for DS-156:

and DS-157:

22. When Do You Intend To Arrive In The U.S.? (Provide specific date if known)

We already have date for my travel flights so I put it in there

18. Have You Made Specific Travel Arrangements? If YES, please provide a complete itinerary for your travel, including arrival/departure dates, flight information, specific location you will visit, and a point of contact at each location

I printed out my summary trip and I included it upon my submission, so I put there see attached doc

--

Sillygirl,

Sorry I wasn't able to reply last week I'm terribly busy tying some loose ends in the office and packing up my stuff. The night before my flight I need to do some last minute repacking because my Uncle told me that the box of my wedding gown will not be allowed as my hand carry, so I transferred it in my luggage (bummer!). Anyway, I'm already here. I got here Friday afternoon. Yesterday I did some drive test.. trying to get used to with the traffic rules and regulation... I started cooking my own rice yesterday too my mom must be proud of me . It turn out good . Anyway,catch up with you later... gtg.

Brit

I think we finally have good news. My fiancee said all the papers were correct and they didn't say anything about needing more documents. She never asked if she was approved like i told her she should, so i hope she did get approved. She told me she got a pink slip and payed Delbros, so i'm thinking she did. Going to get the full details tonight She went in at 6;30am and didn't get out until after 2pm i think She said she was interviewed by a big american female hehe.

I wonder how long it will take to send the visa to Bohol. Also hope the plane tickets aren't all sold out for mid-Sept.

Thanks for the interest in our case for those who sent us E-mails.

Yey! Congrats! One down again...

Hello everyone, it's been a while...anyways, I'd like to ask how's the timeline with K-1 right now. My friend will be petitioning his Fiancee and they're both wondering how K-1 Petitions are moving? How many months does it take before the Embassy schedules an interview? Thanks for the reply!!!

:energetic: -Ck-

Mine took 6 mos with a lot of prayers and faith..

sorry folks to ask this question about the late registration of birth certificate, i just don't understand it. supposed my birthdate is August 17 and it was registered on August 23rd of the same year, does it mean that it was registered late?

Excerpt from the NSO website:

The birth of a child shall be registered within thirty (30) days from the time of birth in the Office of the Civil Registrar of the city/municipality where the birth occurred. A report made beyond this period is considered late.

Clearly, the answer is "no" since it is not more than 30 days.

I just have a question,, i don't know if this is the proper forum but i posted this question on some other forums but I guess not too much Filipinas are going there.. :-) Anybody there who is an CPA here in the Philippines and went to the US?? Any experience looking for a job??? Well just quite jittery on this.. hehhehe!! Is it hard to find a job there?? I mean I know I won't be able to use that title when I get there but anybody out there who has the same profession that can give a piece of advice?? :-) thanks!! Oh by the way I've been working for almost 6 years now and I have 4 year experience working in an international NGO (WOrld Vision) here in the Philippines as an accountant and currently I am working here in Makati ( a consultancy firm HO is in Tokyo Japan) handling projects funded by Asian Dev Bank, WOrld Bank and JBIC..

You can visit the following sites to check the size of your market and your market value at the same time

* www.monster.com

* www.careerbuilder.com

* www.bestjobsusa.com

Create a profile and post your resume. Don't forget to include your availabity date.

Hi all.... we hope everyone is doing well. Our dates are coming up quick The visit in July was great, now we just can't wait to begin our family life...

Does anyone know what happens if she has her period during the medical exam appointment? We don't know if she will or not, but just want to ask the question. Does it cause delays? problems? There won't be much time (one week to be exact) before the interview, so it is not like we could reschedule. Any thoguhts or actual experiences would be greatly appreciated. Good luck to all!!!!

You don't need to reschedule it, you can just show up there anytime just make sure the appt. lettter is with her.

I don't think that it's a good idea to go there if your period is on-going . One procedure that she will encounter is she will get naked and the doctor's gonna check the brain of her tush .. so hope you see the connection... kinda eowwww

I'm trying to plan my trip to the Philippines.

[*]How long did it take to get your visa after the interview (weekdays/working days)?

>> mine took 5 working days

[*]Did you have it delivered by Delbros or pick it up yourself?

>> delivered by DELBROS

[*]Anyone have their visa delivered to a third party or ever hear of that being done? (I would like it delivered to my cousins there in Manila)

>> You will fill up form from DELBROS and it got a line asking where do you want your visa to be delivered. They(DELBROS) will also give you authorization letter in case you're not around when your VISA arrives. My mom's the one who received my visa

I'm wondering if I should plan to go to Cebu for my wife's farewell party after the interview then come back to Manila or should we just wait for the visa to be in hand first. I'm trying to use the time I have there efficiently.

>> Either way, since you can use the authorization letter

It would be nice to have "visa in hand" column

Name-------------NOA2-----MNL REC’D--PACKET--INTERVIEW--MNL CASE#--STATUS

I forgot to send my fiancee my original BC, she has a few copier copies i signed. I didn't even think about it until today. Hope it will be ok for the interview, it says copies should be fine....i dunno.

I'm assuming BC is birth cert.

I don't think your BC is that important to them. Anyway copies just fine . My fiance just sent me a scanned copy of his income tax return but they did not question it.

Hey there!! Hey guys I received an email today regarding the status of our case and they gave us our case number (NVC) and also telling us that they have already forwarded our petition to the US embassy here in MAnila.. My question is can you guys give me the website address where i can see the interview dates?? thanks!!

Hi elizabeth,

Here's the link; but mind you, it's not that reliable . Better way to monitor your case is by calling the US Embassy call center or Dept. of State.

US Embassy manila contact infos:

For international calls only

(7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Philippine Time )

Regular international call rate applies.

(632) 528-6300 ext. 5184 or 5185

For callers from within the Philippines

Call costs 53 pesos per minute, plus applicable provincial charges. This number is for subscribers of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and Smart telephone touchtone landlines with national/ international distance dialing feature.

1-909-101-7878

And which are acceptable?

Can her passport count as 1 form of photo ID?

Also how many for the CFO seminar? Thank you.

They are asking 2 valid Id's.

Passport can be counted as one. Others can be company ID, Drivers license, or SSS ID.

Hi Brit, I thought St. Lukes forwards your passport to the embassy. So when you go for the interview you won't have it with you right? So for embassy interview you need one photo id and interview letter correct? I think the OP was asking about the interview mainly if you will notice the title of the thread.

Oopss.. sorry for the confusion. I'm referring to the CFO seminar and of course I assumed that the passport is with him .

During the Embassy interview, you will only need ID's if you are going to surrender your celfone or any battery-type technology. Otherwise they're not going to need your ID.

Of course, you need to bring your interview letter.

And which are acceptable?

Can her passport count as 1 form of photo ID?

Also how many for the CFO seminar? Thank you.

They are asking 2 valid Id's.

Passport can be counted as one. Others can be company ID, Drivers license, or SSS ID.

hi bjzags,

you know, what? i'm also confused regarding the packet 3 and 4 being sent to the beneficiaries in the Philippines. according to britannique_chic, we will only be given the packet 4, but when i try to view the timelines of some members in this forum, they seem to receive packet 3 as well. isn't it confusing? anyway, i hope this issue will be cleared up by other members who had already been interviewed by the consulate in Manila.

take care,

tam

You might want to join the Manila Embassy Topic. You can get a lot of information from there .