RO_AH

Topic moved from Moving to the US forum to Regional discussion: Philippines.

Thank you! They have been responsive the past 2 days...but I think it's a game of chance. For reference in case it's helpful - I e-mailed info@cfo.gov.ph and was eventually re-directed to someone who works at the CFO. 

Given the snark, yes I can.
 
Meek = bad

As RO_AH responded, there is no cost.  The only issue with CFO is ever changing requirements.  As a side note, Filipina's who are shy, quiet, meek, and avoid eye contact will find it a rough go.  They are chum to the CFO sharks.

I buy directly from the airline. I find it a little cheaper when booking my flight from a PC located in PH

No cost.

*** Moved from K1 Progress Reports to the Philippine regional forum, for more attention from others who may have relevant experience ***
 
 
I've always bought my and my family members' tickets directly from the airlines through their website.  Avoids any hassle of having to go through 3rd-parties in case of any change in plans.
 
Btw, if you or any of your family members in the Philippines have a BPI card, there's an online travel sale now.  ANA, JAL, EVA Air are some of the participating airlines.  Only flights originating from the PH are on sale.
 

Maybe they meant that the visa case (not the visa) was sent from NVC to Manila.  "Ready" on CEAC does mean that the visa case has been digitally transferred from NVC and is ready for processing by the consulate in Manila.  Also, there's no sending the visa to Manila, as it's the consulate in Manila that actually processes the case and generates the visa.  Note also that the verbal approval given by the CO just means that your wife passed the interview, not that she is granted the visa.  The actual indication of visa approval is when CEAC case status turns to "Issued".  That's why the Department of State advises applicants not to make non-refundable flight bookings until after getting the issued visa on hand.
 
Until CEAC shows "Issued", keep following up with USEM via their website's public inquiry form for IV cases.  No need for a lawyer at this point for email follow-ups.  They can't rush USEM any more than you can.  Your US congressperson or senator may be able to get more information out of USEM, so you could try reaching out to one of them to assist you.  If the wait for the visa stretches to around 6 months after interview, consider hiring a lawyer to sue with Writ of Mandamus (WOM).  The lawyer must be an immigration lawyer based in the US, as the WOM filing must be in a federal court in the US.  Not sure why you think you need a lawyer in Manila.  A Philippine lawyer would be of no help to you for US immigration matters.
 

CFO holds all the cards on whether your fiancée can leave the Philippines or not with a K1 visa.  You have to play their game according to whatever rules they make up.  There is no way around it.  It's one of those situations where the easy way past them is to just put on a big fake smile and compliantly do whatever they say you have to do.

Sure, there are fixes that will gladly claim to make you a real CFO certificate, but will really give you a fake one.  Then she will be offloaded when trying to board and you will be screwed and lose everything,.
 
You should just follow the email, Cancel the appointment by sending a copy of the passport and confirmation code, and then reschedule after she has the visa on hand,

LBC is totally awesome if there is a US branch near you.  Sending documents from San Diego to North Luzon was $12 and took 5 days total with full tracking.

All of the places I wrote i864a I meant i864EZ

And in answer to your original question, just file i864 even if you qualify to use the i864a. I qualified to use the i864a but they requested the i864. I resubmitted and it got kicked back again. I called and complained that all of their information says to submit the i864a. The guy I spoke to was very nice and said to me, I know you are right but,  if they asked for it you need to submit it or they will keep kicking it back.  So I did and it went through. I would say that my stubbornness on that issue cost me a couple months.

What are you talking about? If you qualify, you qualify. There is no "extra super duper" qualify.
 
You put the number of people that will be living together, at least that's what I did, I lived with to other people at the time of filing but I know once my wife and 2 children arrived we would be in a new place just the 4 of us. So I put 4 people. We stayed in a hotel the first 2 days after they arrived waiting for our new apartment to be ready to move in. It doesn't matter what your circumstances are now, and they do not care about your parents or addresses.
 
You mention wanting to be safe and making a stronger case. You are way overthinking the process You are looking at your case at every possible angle and overthinking every part of it. This is not meant as an insult because it is human nature and almost everyone does it. Think of the thousands of cases that they go through, do you think that they are scrutinizing every nuance and detail of every single case the way that you are your own?  Trust me they are not, they are looking for red flags and mostly for relationships that do not seem to be authentic. That is the only part you should concern yourself with is evidence of a bonafide relationship. Pictures and proof of constant and regular communication. That is the only thing that will make your case stronger  or weaker.

Nothing that you need to do. It is best that you do it at SLEC. You are paying for the medical and everything she needs is included.

If she is interviewing in Manila then the best place is at the visa medical exam.

It is September 1st here in the Philippines.  So, to kick off the Christmas season:
 
Merry Christmas!
 
 
 
If you have no idea why I am saying this on September 1st, then ask or read up on Filipino culture. haha

PSA is merely the record keepers.   PSA doesn't create any civil documents, they merely maintain official copies of documents created by the LCRO or in the case of a ROM, they keep an official copy of the document created by the overseas consulate.   I often hear Filipinos referring to a PSA ROM as a "PSA Marriage Certificate".  In the Philippines it is more or less the legal equivalent.  But outside of the Philippines and for US immigration purposes it has no legal significance whatsoever.  It's definitely not considered a "marriage certificate" in the eyes of USCIS, NVC or the US Embassy. 

That's normal.  It's your PSA ROM.  Technically, you don't get a PSA marriage certificate as you weren't married with a Philippine marriage license.  But when requesting your marriage certificate from PSA online, your PSA ROM would be what you would get.
 

Unless you are willing to travel, long distance is not for you. If you don't have time to learn the culture in a foreign country, a foreign spouse is not for you. I am living my best life, married to a Pinay for 6 years, started our relationship 12 years ago, 2 children, and happy as can be. I was willing to do the 2 things above.

@Seth And Jez my address on our marriage certificate is incomplete with the incorrect zip code. 
Wasn't an issue at any stage. USCIS didn't flag it. NVC didn't flag it. The CO at my interview didn't flag it. 
I would submit marriage certificate as is and settle in for the long wait for petition approval. 

You need to forget about it.  Do nothing.  You won't get a RFE.  You keep picking at it, screwing with it, draw attention to it, you will potentially create a problem out of nothing.  An explanation letter will do nothing but put a red light and siren on it.  That can cause stupid people to do stupid things.  Don't let stupid people have a chance or the opportunity to screw up your journey.
 
Frozen, "Let it go." 

Short answer, get the 13a before you get to the PI. Less hassel

Much ado about nothing