Lora18

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.

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

Your welcome. It would also be helpful to send in some recent paycheck stubs. That's what we did.

thank you so much 

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.

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.

So why should others look for answers for you then?  I have spent numerous amounts of hours / months creating tools and compiling information so that questions like these would not have to be posted. Please research (using the search function) before posting. You'll find the answers on here. I promise. You can also read all the pages of posts to learn everything about the process becoming a valuable contributor here. Yes the process is overwhelming at first. But I promise with a little patience and curiosity, you'll be able to navigate the forum without any problems. Wish you luck. 

How long did you wait for your NVC welcome letter?

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! 

We had received the welcome letter on the 3rd of August, completed DS-261 and made AOS payment on the 4th but still says in process. 
I'll make the call now. Thanks JBMG

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 

Hey guys! Good morning!!!
I got mail (well,technically my husband got mail)
We just recieved our NOA2 from TEXAS SERVICE CENTER!!! 
 
PD: 02/09/2017
Notice date: 07/20/2017
 
checked the USCIS app but it still isn't updated yet. So tell your significant other to check their mailboxes everyday. 
 
Just be patient guys,your letters are on its way.

I usually don't want to stress myself out during the weekend coz it's already Saturday my time, but the progress overnight for Jul 21 was impressive I felt like I have to let everyone know what I see:
 
- 2 cases on Dec 12 sent to DOS
- 1 case on Dec 16 sent to DOS
- 1 case on Dec 22 sent to DOS
- 1 case on Dec 23 sent to DOS
- 1 case on Dec 23 sent Request for Initial Evidence
- 1 case on Dec 27 sent to DOS
- 1 case on Dec 28 sent to DOS
- 1 case on Dec 30 sent to DOS
- 1 case on Jan 12 sent withdrawal acknowledgement
- 6 cases on Jan 13 sent to DOS 
- 3 cases on Jan 18 sent to DOS 
- 3 cases on Jan 23 sent to DOS 
- 1 case on Feb 6 sent Request for Initial Evidence
- 2 cases on Feb 17 sent Request for Initial Evidence 
 
Feb cases on the way, though it's only RFE but I have a feeling we're already there!!!

I just wanted to update everyone....
I have been getting alot of notifications from the USCIS app saying that Taxes Service Center is currently working on cases with priority dates from end of December 2016 and beginning of January 2017! so for all of you Taxes Service Center people, our time is coming real soon for February 2017 

You can create a timeline here and track your case (as well as get estimated approval dates and much more):
http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/intro.php
Once you create a timeline make sure to update it as your case progresses .