sillygirl

After having our interview date moved 3x (twice because of a strong typhoon and the 3rd time after asking for an earlier interview date), we got approved! Woohoo!

Of all things that we anticipated going wrong, the embassy being shut down (for 2days!) because of a typhoon was not one of them. LOL

We had our interview today and my fiance was with me. At the end of the interview, he asked the consul if we are approved and the consul said that we are definitely approved!

Wow! I still can't believe it.

As of Thursday (9/28) they had not received the case. Monday I emailed and Tuesday they tell me it is already on the way to manila....Good news.

The problem is I had sent the emails with the update to change my fiancee's address. They didnt do it and said to do it at the embassy. Either they are extremely efficient and turned it around the day after receiving it, or they had it and didnt have it on thier system until they sent it preventing the update.

Either way....OFF to Manila.......FINALLY.....another line, but at least I know its a last step.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wolf

have a good time on your visit!

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.

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!!!!!!

sorry for the delay...Milenyo is so bad!

Thanks... Milenyo sure made an impact! Many places are still without electricity.

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 .

The suspense just never ends! I am getting paranoid because of all the delays... thinking that I will not get approved and that I am destined to be in a long distance relationship forever.

My fiance decided to stay and wait for my interview date so he is trying to tie up some lose ends here. Got lots of things to do... change his flight, contact the car rental company, call his boss, and so on... I don't think his boss will be too happy with him for the additional two weeks that he has to take off from work. He's already missed so many work days this year because of all his visits.

Hopefully, there will be no more delays from here on in. I don't think my stomach can handle the additional stress. LOL

Sillygirl - Sorry to know about your delay... The typhoon was pretty bad. My fiancée is not expected to have electricity until Monday. The Phil was hit pretty hard this time around.

Thanks. We are still here and Manila (along Roxas boulevard) and most of the areas here still don't have electricity.

Of all the things that we anticipated going wrong, the embassy being shut down because of a typhoon was not one of them!

aww sorry to hear that it has been moved to a later date... the storm was pretty bad. i was on the phone with my fiance and he said that the electricity was out soon after the storm. pasig area at least where he lives will not have electricity until sunday. =/ business districts however have their power back on...

in any case, good luck on your interview

Thanks! I keep telling myself that a little more waiting won't kill me. LOL.

Like I said b4, patience is a virtue, right PW?

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?

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

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

Silly,

When are you going to the US?

Thanks! I'm a bundle of nerves now... thank goodness my fiance's here! He just arrived last night.

I am booked for oct. 14, i hope everything goes according to plan. Keeping my toes and fingers crossed. LOL

AFTER THE EMBASSY'S REQUEST TO RENEW MY NBI CLEARANCE AND MEDICAL REPORT WHICH I SUBMITTED LAST SEPTEMBER 7, 2006, HERE IS THE BEST GOOD NEWS I EVER HAD. FOR EVERYONE OF YOU WHO ARE STILL HOPELESSLY WAITING FOR YOUR VISA... FINALLY AFTER 2 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS OF WAITING, LAST SEPTEMBER 12, 2006, TO MY SURPRISE, MY VISA WAS DELIVERED TO ME BY DELBROS. THANK GOD, THANK GOD! YEHEY!!! I AM GOING HOME TO MY LOVEYDOVEY.

NOW I WISH THE BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF YOU. MY PRAYERS ARE ALL YOURS.

GOD BLESS AND TAKE CARE EVERYONE. KISSES AND HUGS[/color].[/size]

that is great news! CONGRATULATIONS! Now, hurry up and go be with your loveydovey. I wish you both all the happiness in the world!

I had my interview this morning, and we are approved! I saw the "approved" sticker on my folder.

PW, please update the list. Thanks to all from this forum who have helped us a lot.

Audrey

Congratulations!

JoelAndAnalyn, goodluck to you guys! Will be praying for you.

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

Karel

Thanks Karel!

PW - We have a Nov 14 Visa Interview date and our Medical Exam is scheduled for Nov 7. We still have not received packet 4 from the Embassy, but they usually don't mail that until close to a month before the interview.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

Congratulations Sheriff uling! Finally!!!

To Yna and the rest of the gang who got their interview dates, congrats also!

party time!

Subject: Happy Anniversary

So, on the occasion of our first year anniversary, here’s a toast to us, the Fil-Am couples! I’m so proud of us!

Mabuhay and cheers!

Happy anniversary to us! Can we have another round of champagne PW?

Just got back from a week of goofing off in Mindoro... i can't believe the number of pages that has been added in this forum and how that list have grown. Wow!

Mychelle, congrats on your approval!

Why are you not waiting until your Fiance is 18?

Clearly the law in the PI, as others have proven time and again, with evidence.

You stated that it is only a few months from now. Why attempt to "buck" the system?

Personal opinion on this topic, reserved.

WOOHOO!!!! Congrats!

Please read:

So i am wondering if it was approved by the USCIS then does that mean her age is not a factor? or if it was would it not have been approved by the USCIS right?In my state if the person wanting to get married and is under 18 they only need parental consent and then they can legally marry,which my fiancee has.

As far as US laws and USCIS regulations are concerned yes, your fiancee may be eligible to marry at 17. But you and Irish will also deal with the Manila embassy who will make sure that you are compliant with both US and Philippine laws.

I am wondering if at the interview will it be a problem?..she will have the signed affidavit of parental consent with her then..any ideas or do you think it will be fine?

Yes, it will be a problem. As far as the US embassy is concerned, Irish will not be compliant with Philippine law. Art. 35, Chapter 3 of the Family Code of the Philippines, states that x x x “The following marriage shall be void from the beginning: (1) those contracted by any party below eighteen years of age even with the consent of parents or guardians. Here’s the link: http://www.chanrobles.com/executiveorderno209.htm

True you’re not marrying here but in the US and she would have turned 18 then. But Philippine law and our Immigration officers will prevent your fiancee from departing the country for purposes of marriage until she's 18. She will not pass CFO seminar which is a requirement for departure. Moreover, a 17 year old cannot travel alone without Dept. of Social Welfare & Dev. clearance. So she will be needing clearances from two govt. agencies, CFO and DSWD, and I guarantee you, both clearances will be denied.

The affidavit was signed and notorized by a judge in Somboan, I also have done this through a laywer who told me that was all she needed was a signed and notorized consent from her parents.

I assume you spoke t o a US lawyer who is not familiar with Philippine marriage law? At any rate, judges and lawyers make mistakes and they can be charged with gross negligence of the law. Even if consent was given, our law says such consent is void. We cannot argue with written law.

Best thing to do under the circumstances is to delay the interview until after she turns eighteen. Wait a few more months. This will give you at least a fighting chance.

The next issue that the embassy would be looking at is the age difference between you and your fiancee. If there is a huge gap, better prepare yourself to prove bona fide relationship. It will be tough.

Good luck, Keith!

Ok i promise Ill do but just now I can't scan it here at the office.. maybe later this afternoon!!!LOL!!! Hey congratulations your interview is just weeks away!!!:-) God bless on your interview!!!!:0-)

That's OK, no hurry.

And thanks! Trying not to think about the upcoming interview too much, it's making me nervous.

Looks like my fiancee and you have the same interview date. Sep 28 yeh hey. She is someone who really follows the rules and is too shy to ask for an early medical exam. But I am concerned that something may come up (e.g. cold or flu etc etc)to delay the medical exam if she waits until her assigned date of Sep 21. She already has her appointment letter etc etc. How were you able to get an early medical exam date? Did you call St Luke's or did you just show up?

Thank you, in advance, for your info. Tx so much for the excellent info on how to handle the St Luke's experience.

Live Laugh Love and dont forget to smile once in awhile.

Hi! Yeah, it looks like we do have the same interview date.

She can just go to St. Luke's anytime (as long as she doesn't have her period ) and just present her appointment letter and passport like I mentioned in the procedure.

Getting the medical out of the way is one less thing to worry about.

Hey guys just want to ask if you received a pre-interview appointment letter??? Well just basically telling when they received the package from NVC, the documents needed, and just the basic we see on the web???

I received mine yesterday thru snail mail.

We did also. I hope this means something in the near future

Can you scan it and post it here? I'm curious to see what it looks like.

PW, maybe that is the "packet 3." What do you think?

Hi! Here is my medical experience, hope this helps.

Medical.doc

There are applicants who are asked to take the sputum test and ECG test. As it was not required from me, i have no idea how that works.

To anyone who's done with their medical, please feel free to call my attention to anything that i missed putting there.

Converted the word file to PDF and added a checklist there. Just click on the link in my signature to see it.

Hard to actually believe after (how many days? I lost track):

TA DA:

This case has been approved. On September 6, 2006, an approval notice was mailed.

Thanks to everyone for all of the continued support and assistance - I would not be in one piece without you guys! Gary you two MUST be next!!!

I will get to work on finding a brand spanking new HAPPY avatar . . . we have a long way to go but at least we can get out of the CSC hellhole soon.

That's great, congratulations!!! Woohoo!

Now you can change your avatar!

So i am wondering if it was approved by the USCIS then does that mean her age is not a factor? or if it was would it not have been approved by the USCIS right?In my state if the person wanting to get married and is under 18 they only need parental consent and then they can legally marry,which my fiancee has.

As far as US laws and USCIS regulations are concerned yes, your fiancee may be eligible to marry at 17. But you and Irish will also deal with the Manila embassy who will make sure that you are compliant with both US and Philippine laws.

I am wondering if at the interview will it be a problem?..she will have the signed affidavit of parental consent with her then..any ideas or do you think it will be fine?

Yes, it will be a problem. As far as the US embassy is concerned, Irish will not be compliant with Philippine law. Art. 35, Chapter 3 of the Family Code of the Philippines, states that x x x “The following marriage shall be void from the beginning: (1) those contracted by any party below eighteen years of age even with the consent of parents or guardians. Here’s the link: http://www.chanrobles.com/executiveorderno209.htm

True you’re not marrying here but in the US and she would have turned 18 then. But Philippine law and our Immigration officers will prevent your fiancee from departing the country for purposes of marriage until she's 18. She will not pass CFO seminar which is a requirement for departure. Moreover, a 17 year old cannot travel alone without Dept. of Social Welfare & Dev. clearance. So she will be needing clearances from two govt. agencies, CFO and DSWD, and I guarantee you, both clearances will be denied.

The affidavit was signed and notorized by a judge in Somboan, I also have done this through a laywer who told me that was all she needed was a signed and notorized consent from her parents.

I assume you spoke t o a US lawyer who is not familiar with Philippine marriage law? At any rate, judges and lawyers make mistakes and they can be charged with gross negligence of the law. Even if consent was given, our law says such consent is void. We cannot argue with written law.

Best thing to do under the circumstances is to delay the interview until after she turns eighteen. Wait a few more months. This will give you at least a fighting chance.

The next issue that the embassy would be looking at is the age difference between you and your fiancee. If there is a huge gap, better prepare yourself to prove bona fide relationship. It will be tough.

Good luck, Keith!

Hi, thanks for the response,

Irish already has her DSWD clearence and as far as the CFO he father will be attending that with her.She also already has her passport.The fact that she is 17 now shouldnt stop the approval because we have 90 days to marry and by then she will be 18 so I dont see why they would deny her a visa to come here to marry,its not like we are gonna be married when she is still 17.Also id like to say that she told me she was 20 when we first started chatting and I didnt find out she was 17 until after i got back from my 1st visit and started the paperwork for the K-1..she had to fess up after she went to get a ceritfied copy of here birth certificate, but by then i am already in love and had proposed and had retained a K-1 law firm to do the processing.The lawyer knew she was 17 and said it would not be a problem as long as she has an affidavit of parental consent..he would not have taken the case if he thought for any reason it would be denied because they have a money back garuntee if they cant get her the visa.I just spoke to him and he said there is nothing to worry about she will be approved.

Don't get me wrong... but you got me completely baffled.

You asked for advice/opinions and they were given to you. Even snippets of PHILIPPINE LAW were given to you and yet you persist in believing all the ####### that your PAID lawyer is giving you?

Please bear in mind that it is not only the US law that are being followed in this process. She is in the Philis, a Filipino citizen, hence all our laws apply to her. I know it is very difficult to be away from your loved one, but why not wait until she is of legal age? Think of the repurcussions that will arise if you insist in filing it when she is still a minor.

Patience is a virtue. Right, PW?

You are unbelievably thorough, sillygirl! Great job!

Thanks!

Just wanted to give something back... this forum has helped me a lot.

Can anyone tell me what is involved in the medical? What tests, procedures, etc.? My fiancee is a bit nervous about having examination.

Hi! Just finished my medical today. I'll post the procedures that I went through tomorrow.

Hi! Here is my medical experience, hope this helps.

Medical.doc

There are applicants who are asked to take the sputum test and ECG test. As it was not required from me, i have no idea how that works.

To anyone who's done with their medical, please feel free to call my attention to anything that i missed putting there.

Can anyone tell me what is involved in the medical? What tests, procedures, etc.? My fiancee is a bit nervous about having examination.

Hi! Just finished my medical today. I'll post the procedures that I went through tomorrow.

sillygirl my papers have been processed since february 2002, hubby filed an I-130 for me since at that time he was still an immigrant now he is already a citizen and i am just waiting for an available appointment for my interview, i heard that you can have medical exams before your interview is th is true? I have been waiting for almost 5 long years this journey is really hard for me i hope i get to hear something from manila embassy soon. my hubby keeps on calling them and they keep telling us to wait sometime at the end of this month for the new list of appointments. i checked the website www.usembassy.gov/manila/wwwfvisa.pdf for the list of interview dates but it was only up to the month of august the new list will be posted sometime this month. Goodluck to everyone and God bless!

Yes, you can and must take the medical exam before the interview. When your beloved receives packet 4 from the Manila Embassy, taking the medical exam at St. Lukes will be listed in the instructions. In fact, within my signature is the link to packet 4. By the by, can you please fill out your timeline and list what type of visa you have applied for because it helps others in their attempt(s) to help you.

NOTE: Per my conversation with the Manila Embassy staff, they advise that we do not take the medical exam too far out from the interview because the result could be labeled as invalid. My research reveals that most folks take the medical exam anywhere from a week to a month before the interview, which is acceptable.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

Hi stormyrain!

Sheriff Uling is correct. You must take the medical before going for your interview otherwise you will be rescheduled again.

Your medical date together with your interview date will be in the appointment letter that you will receive in pakcet 4. However, you can take your medical earlier than your actual medical date (like Sheriff uling said, it is advised that you not take your medical more than a monthbefore the interview as it can be invalidated).

Good luck to your journey! I hope everything goes smoothly for you from now on.

Iam a Filipina married to an American citizen, we will be migrating back to the US do i need to attend the CFO seminar? Is it a requirement? What will happen if I dont get a certficate?

Yes it is a requirement before you left manila, the immigration officer in NAIA will check everything docs you need before boarding the plane. Or else ....... they won't let you pass when you reached the immigration counter where you need to give your passport for checking at the airport. Will still tell you to cancel your flight and reschedule again until you got your CFO sticker attached to one page of your philippine passport.

Gudluck!

yep, it is a requirement. They won't let you out of the country without it.

It is also a requirement now for those applying for passports.

The seminar is just for one day, better attend it rather than have problems later on.

Good luck!