Lora18

7 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Has the ELIS fee been paid?   https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/how-pay-uscis-immigrant-fee

 

If your ELIS fee has been paid, upon arrival in the USA your passport will receive an I-551 stamp, 2-6 weeks later your green card will arrive in the mail.

 

Your SS card should arrive in the mail also.

 

Can i pay it now even thought i still dont have the visa? Ceac status is issued tho. Still waiting for delivery..

10 hours ago, Hank_ said:

And that is why it is called smell-a-bay.  

 

Yes it was for sure coming down.   When the weather broke we did a quick dash to SM HyperMart by us for a few things then back before the clouds opened up again.

 

Party hardy!!  Spend time with family and friends... soon you will be flying!!     

 

 

You got CFO done already?

Yea,the weather yesterday was being cray-cray.. It rains then after a good 10-minute downpour it'll stop then itll rain again.

And yea, My husband's gonna come here this september and we'll be flying back together on the 22nd. 

CFO's done, I just have to go back there for the sticker..

BTW, when do i need to apply for greencard?

1 hour ago, Hank_ said:

Congrats!!

 

Good write up .   Make sure to add this to your timeline also, so others can find it easily over time.   Thanks

 

Did you even notice the rain today when you left the embassy, or were you walking on clouds?   

Hahahaha. It was raining cats and dogs, the place was almost flooded and it smelled like poop but I didnt care, I was in a euphoric state lol

1 hour ago, Oliva said:

Congratulations dear😊Hey I am confused they will ask ds260 form or ds260 confirmation page because in my appointment letter it's maintain ds260 confirmation page so 😊It will be thankful if you will be able to reply take care  

oh just the confirmation page sweetheart. 

Sorry I was confusing lol

Hey guys, just sharing the good news!!

Visa approved!!
Timeline: 
NOA1: Feb.9,2017
NOA2: July 25,2017
Sent to NVC: Aug 1,2017
MNL case number: Aug 12,2017
Paid AOS and IV:  Aug 15,2017 (Sent the expedite letter as well) 
DS 260 done:  Aug 18,2017
Medical: Aug 22,2017 
Expedite approval and papers sent to Manila, Case status ready: Aug 23,2017
Interview: Sept 5,2017 - Approved!! 
VOH: Soon!! 

Guys thank you so much for accompanying me through this journey, it a bittersweet one but in the end it's worth it. Don't lose hope and always think positive. And thus, I will be leaving you one of my favorite quote from my favorite book.. 

"And, when you want something, all in the universe consipires in helping you achieve it." - The Alchemist

Hey guys, just sharing the good news!!

Visa approved!!
Timeline: 
NOA1: Feb.9,2017
NOA2: July 25,2017
Sent to NVC: Aug 1,2017
MNL case number: Aug 12,2017
Paid AOS and IV:  Aug 15,2017 (Sent the expedite letter as well) 
DS 260 done:  Aug 18,2017
Medical: Aug 22,2017 
Expedite approval and papers sent to Manila, Case status ready: Aug 23,2017
Interview: Sept 5,2017 - Approved!! 
VOH: Soon!! 

Guys thank you so much for accompanying me through this journey, it a bittersweet one but in the end it's worth it. Don't lose hope and always think positive. And thus, I will be leaving you one of my favorite quote from my favorite book.. 

"And, when you want something, all in the universe consipires in helping you achieve it." - The Alchemist

Visa approved!!
Timeline: 
NOA1: Feb.9,2017
NOA2: July 25,2017
Sent to NVC: Aug 1,2017
MNL case number: Aug 12,2017
Paid AOS and IV:  Aug 15,2017 (Sent the expedite letter as well) 
DS 260 done:  Aug 18,2017
Medical: Aug 22,2017 (I went really early and my medical was done in 1 day) 
Expedite approval and papers sent to Manila, Case status ready: Aug 23,2017
Interview: Sept 5,2017 - Approved!! 
VOH: Soon!! 

Interview experience :
My schedule was 6:45 but went there at 6 am, I went straight to the guard and showed my interview appointment letter, he told me to go inside and fall in line which I did, we waited for 30 minutes and they let us in (naawa siguro kasi sobrang lakas ng ulan). 

Second set of lady guards or assistants, idk what they are gave us zip lock bags for our passport, the bio of your passport should be showing. Also show your DS 260 or 160 because they will put a sticker. Follow the line and go inside the embassy.

Inside the embassy, you will go through 2 scanners, just be courtious and follow instructions of the guards because they get irritated easily... 

Next step:
I waited inside for the Pre screening windows to open. And when it was my turn the lady was very pleasant. Her questions were:
Hi how are you? Answered I'm fine, and you? She said she's OK. 
Asked for my DS 260 and passport. 
What's my name? 
Who is petitioning me? A:My husband (his name) 
Asked how we met. Asked for the original documents (CENOMAR. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE. BIRTH CERTIFICATE. AOS. NBI, MEDICAL RESULTS) And she asked questions about ourselves. She said me and my husband are very lucky because we are both single, same age and same hobbies which is online gaming and animes and we are both Filipino. Told me to proceed to the window for finger scanning

TIP: BEFORE YOUR INTERVIEW, MOISTURIZE YOU HAND ALWAYS KASI MAY PALYA YUNG FINGER SCANNER NILA. 

Finger scanning experience : I've read a lot about this guy that he gets irritated easily!!
The person  before me was asked to stand aside because their paper isn't ready.. So he took mine instead and asked my name and date of birth then asked me to press my left four fingers without the thumb and I did, isang click lang scan agad (always moisturize your hands sis) then he said very good, now right hand please, then I did as well, and thank God, one click lang ulit na scan na, then asked to press the scanner with my two thumbs and BAM na scan ulit!! he was pleased and he even did a small talk, He smiled and asked so where are you going? And I answered San Diego, California sir, and then he said wow California girl and I gave him the best smile I can give to someone, he told me good luck and I said thank you, and have a good day sir. 

Next step is the final interview. 
I wasn't really nervous, as long as you know your relationship is genuine ang dali lang ng tanong. The interviewer was a beautiful American woman, she asked me to swear an oath and have my fingers scanned then I gave my ds 260

TIP: ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO GIVE YOUR DS 260. And LISTEN TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE BEFORE YOU WERE GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS LIKE PREPARE YOUR DS 260 AND HABANG NAKAUPO KA IPREPARE MO NA RIN PARA PAG TURN MO NA, PASA AGAD!! DAPAT ACTIVE KASI GUSTO NG AMERICANS MABILISAN BECAUSE TIME IS GOLD FOR THEM.THEY HAVE A LOT TO DO AND YOU HOLDING THEM UP WILL MAKE THEM IRRITATED.

she asked me the standard questions that the Filipina consul asked me.. 
Name? Husband's name? Job? Where does he live? Have I ever been outside the country? My age?  And then she stopped asking and was doing something with her computer.. 
I am a very chatty person so while she was fixing her computer I complimented her eyelashes because she was wearing extensions and ako kasi mahilig rin ako sa make ups and beauty stuff, she said thank you, told her I'm planning to get one as well, then she told me that I better get one before I go to America cuz it's expensive there.. And then she said, OK Lora I'll be endorsing your visa for approval. Expect your visa to be delivered within 2 weeks. I was like.. Ok mam. Uhhh that's it?? She said yea, just get a  pamphlet and update your delivery information online
Me: um so I can go home? 
Her: Yes, and tell the good news to your husband. 
I bid her good bye and thank you and told her to have a nice day. 

TIP: Always be pleasant and pro active. They really appreciate applicants who can answer questions right away, ayaw nila ng paulit ulit  and smile, be confident and as much as possible,dont get an interpreter.. Because you will be migrating to America, it's natural that you should know their language. And the best tip is have faith, prayers really do move mountains. Pray to whoever your God is may it be Allah or Buddha or Jesus, as long as you pray hard and be a good person. Good things will come to you!

"And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it" - The Alchemist.

Thank you so much for this group and shout out to my mommy and angel Katrina Martin. Thank you  for  guiding me and I  will forever be thankful with what you did. I love you sis and may all the blessings and good karma be given to you and your family.

11 hours ago, cleon86 said:

Did you do email/online upload of your documents or mail them off? 

I didn't. NVC phase was skipped for me because my case was expedited. 

Hey guys! Case is already ready! Interview will be on sept 5

Hey guys, we requested for an expedite at NVC, called them yesterday and they said that  it was forwarded here in US EMBASSY Manila.. I thought it wasn't gonna be approved  but lo and behold,  it was approved today!!!!

uhhh..but does anyone know here what's the next step?

5 minutes ago, myheart0628 said:

We didn't file one for him. Since it wouldn't have made a difference. I'm a full time student and would not be able to make enough since I work part time. 

I see.. I thought NVC was being shady. LOL 

On 8/17/2017 at 5:53 AM, myheart0628 said:

So I have received the dreaded Checklist for my cosponsors household members proof of citizenship. This is so devastating.

Was your husband's income tax lower than the prerequisite salary?

Just now, Adreamer said:

You only need the last year income tax/w2's OR transcripts with w2's . 3 years is optional. You only need a co sponser if your petitioner does not meet income requirements.

thank you so much 

Question about the AOS, my husband started working last 2015, so we can only provide 2015-2016 ITR's and W2.. I've been reading here in the forum saying that they need 3 years of income tax returns..  do we still need to have a co-sponsor even though he is earning above the current poverty guidelines?

Good luck on your journey guys!

12 hours ago, Mary Lou said:

Try again next week

Like I said I was able to sign in before the welcome letter and choose the agent 

I tried again today and AOS AND IV FEE says PAY NOW

woohoo! I just have to wait for my lawyer to pay it

Im so happy that evertything is falling into place gradually,NVC makes my mind at ease in comparison to USCIS.

1 minute ago, cleon86 said:

You're so right about that lol. It also feels so good because of how much time we had to spend during the USCIS phase with ZERO communication or information regarding the case. Now it feels like it's actually moving along and we're more involved! 

That's correct, you can enter with that info but you can't actually do anything until you receive the welcome email. Just a little longer! 

How long did you wait for your NVC welcome letter?

8 hours ago, Mary Lou said:

You can try and enter your case and invoice number before you receive your welcome letter. That's what I did and it worked. Worth a try!!

I did what you suggested however it doesn't give me an option to do anything, not even my ds-261..

I guess I need to wait..

Recieved good news today!

Called NVC and they confirmed they received my case, they even provided my case and invoice number! YAY!!!

but the thing is, I logged on the the website but it's not allowing me to fill up the ds 261 atm.. Do I have to wait for a few more weeks or what??

On August 8, 2017 at 9:42 AM, cleon86 said:

From the time I got a notification on the app telling me the case was sent to NVC, it took 5 days. I got the notification May 18th and when I called May 23rd they confirmed receipt. 

 

What service center are you from? Mine's from texas and NVC's taking forever to confirm that they recieved it .. Telling me to wait up to 6 wks 

Question... How long does it take for the NVC to recieve our packet from USCIS? We recieved the NOA2 July 20. Case was sent update via website Aug 1...

Hey guys, i have a dillema atm. We recieved our NOA2 July 20, and our case status via USCIS website is "Case was sent to Dept of State". Since I've been reading a lot here in visajourney and I'm included in visa support groups in FB, I am 100% sure that there is an expedite process at NVC, so I had my husband asked our lawyer if it's possible for us to have the case expediced (due to medical reasons) and the lawyer bluntly replied there's no expedite process at NVC, and we should wait atleast 6 months before I get an interview (I am the benificiary). 

I'm thinking if I should just do it instead of relying to our lawyer?

And why did he say that in the first place?

If I did request an expedite process,is he going to drop our case? 

We already paid him in full and I don't want to jeopardize the process. What should I do?

11 hours ago, larnar1309 said:

Phewwww got 3 months of texts and some photos printed for extra "front loading" in NVC package. Case number labels tomorrow and then posting the packages on Friday  

 

anyone know how long it's roughly taking from sending packages to interview ? 

Lovely pictures you have there.. But do we need to resend pictures and chat logs again to NVC???

Hey guys! We recieved our NOA2 via snail mail on the 27th. And the website just updated today to Case sent to Dept of State.  I hope we all have a smooth journey on beating LDR! Nice to know all of you  Have a good day

Hey guys! Just checked the website today and my status changed from case was recieved to case was sent to department of state. Struggle is real but just be patient yall. Hope you have a good day!