jannapalmer

It's case to case basis. We had pay stubs from our joint sponsor but the CO didn't even look at them. They only took recent 1040 and W-2.

But to be sure and just so you're not worrying about it, if you have the last three years' then bring it regardless. I'm not sure about the employer's letter but the CO did take the letter of consent from my joint sponsor that he agrees to sponsor me. Again, it never hurts to be extra prepared.

wowww!!! congrats!!!

omg!! thanks a lot for the video!!! very helpful indeed! it answered all my questions. thank u so much!

Don't worry it will change soon. It happened to me as well. Maybe the embassy is kinda slacking, even though it changed to Issued already after I got approved on Monday, the passport hasn't left the embassy yet. Printing time might be taking a while, we don't know how many visa applicants got approved that day and if their printing it by batch.

Try all ways to track it to be sure:

1. Check CEAC website to check if there would be any changes (Ready, Administrative Processing, Issued)

2. Check USTravelDocs, input passport number to see if embassy still has passport or has been received by courier

3. Check cgi.secure.force to also see if passport has already left embassy

4. Finally, e-trace of 2GO to check if passport is already in transit. You can check using MNL case number, passport number or UID

I read most people saying that UID is what worked for them (this is the 8-digit number on your appointment letter for interview)

I think 2Go is gonna keep saying invalid until it actually received the passport.

CEAC status does say 7-10 waiting period.

So here's to waiting and hoping for the best!

Same here, when I checked it earlier.

if you already paid for everything related to visa processing then no, there's no other unnecessary fee.

just don't fall into the trap of all the vendors outside offering you all sort of things and selling you stuff.. dont bring electronic gadgets because it's not allowed inside the embassy, and vendors outside would offer to look after your stuff for a price.

thanks!!

I hope anyone could share what goes on in secondary inspection?

which is better Chicago or LAX? for CR1 visa

and can anyone tell me what to expect or documents they ask for or steps in general... a detailed walkthrough would be highly appreciated

I keep reading about secondary inspection, what about it? and do they really take your visa packet from you? anything else I need to be aware of? Thanks!

food?

If you haven't paid the Immigrant Visa application/processing fee yet, it's $325

NSO is renamed to PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority)

Yup, fill out the registration form in St. Luke's website first, print it out, and bring that whenever you decide to go to St. Luke's to get medical done. It's first come first serve basis so better come early to finish early. The guard checks for the registration form, passport, appointment letter, ds160 in your case (coz mine is ds260).. you can pay the medical fee there at the cashier, it's Php 11, 300

I think there's a pinned detailed walkthrough here in the forum about St. Luke's medical exam.. you can check that as well.

I'll try to go this weekend to a Smart outlet in a mall and purchase Smart roaming sim, maybe I'll get one for myself as well

My husband and I are traveling June 12-ish.. If you don't have the sim yet by that time, we could arrange to meet up so I could give you the sim. We're flying directly to Florida.

I think UID is the number by the barcode on your appointment letter for interview.. I think it's all numbers..

Aside from e-trace of 2GO, I also check http://cgifederal.secure.force.com/ to track my passport.. so far mine shows this

Yup I know that as I decided not to update my passport yet to use my married name, and all the forms follow the passport details.

Okies noted. Thanks a lot!

@Hank, just to clarify.. once I get my visa that's when I can pay at the ELIS site for the greencard right?

I know, I understand. It's just the lying part I guess, coz I would not intentionally do that.

Yeah, when I checked my visa status it already says "Issued"

But I would constantly check for my visa status in case it changes from "Issued" to anything else. In case they realize it later on

Yup. I was gonna update this post as I thought about it, I wouldn't encourage people to do the same thing I did. They do need to submit original copies with original signature on Form I-864. It was out of sheer luck I got away with it.

I guess so. I keep telling the pre-screener it is a scanned copy though. I dunno maybe he just couldn't distinguish well the difference. I was anticipating it would come up again and the American consul would ask about it as he checked the documents himself. But he didn't ask anything about it. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't necessarily encourage people to bring in a scanned copy, that's a fault in my part. I guess I just got lucky. Maybe it would come up later to haunt me, maybe not. But they issued me the visa so..

I know right! I was seriously nervous about it earlier. Good thing I followed your advice to bring the scanned copy still, surprisingly they accepted it.

Yay congrats!!

As far as I remember, they stamped my passport the first time I handed them my documents, before I even proceeded with the exams/tests.. and right towards the end before they released my medical records they stamped or signed on the passport again.

I'm not sure if it would have any bearing in the future since she already got approved, and they checked her medical results from the sealed envelope. She has her immunizations record and cd of x-ray with her right? If you have time to spare maybe you can call or visit St. Luke's to ask about that.. I'm not sure if they would look for that at immigration or POE. Maybe other members would have better answers..

Our forms also showed that on the computer, but it doesn't appear when you print it out

Some of the most important things discussed during CFO seminar is "documenting" signs of abuse so you have evidence to present in case you report it. Write a diary, record verbally abusive remarks, if he physically hurts you take photos of the wounds or bruises.. More importantly, contact the counselors of CFO (their role doesn't end after the seminar) and also get in touch with the Philippine embassy.

Contact Ms. Joy Baonguis (Commission on Filipinos Overseas)

jbaonguis@cfo.gov.ph

She might be able to help you out or give you further advice on what to do. I hope everything will get better.