RO_AH

Yes

Nothing yet. Just rumors. Don’t change your medical or interview, continue as scheduled. If they don’t have tests available yet, they will place you on a call list when they are ready.
 
Our k2 was also allowed into the interview without complete medical packet, but his visa will not be issued until the 221g request for IGRA test is complete.

Update:
1. Took about a month.
 
Had to call St. Lukes myself. They told me to come the day after because Embassy had already received my testing kit.
 
(Note: St. Lukes fee is P1.5K. I was told on the phone to only pay P1.2K but had to pay more.)
 
2. Two 2x2 with a white background - just like what they asked for the initial medical exam.
 

That's really kind of you. Both my fiance and her k2 went to the embassy. They allowed her k2 to enter without his complete medical packet (they told me he would not be allowed in when I submitted inquiry). The interview went smoothly and they were approved, they barely asked any questions as well.
 
They said they can not issue the visas until her k2 has his IGRA test. They issued a 221g for the IGRA test.
 
Once medical has tests available we will fly they back and complete his test, then submit it to the embassy. 
 
We feel much more calm now, and I really appreciate you reaching out. 

Just show both passports when leaving and he is fine. I brought my 2 sons the same way.

Out of every post you have seen here or anywhere in the internet, find me one where a person was denied exit. If your things are in order and your fiance has a strong confident attitude it will be a breeze. Make sure your fiance has all dates regarding your relationship committed to memory. I made a cheat sheet for my wife to study. When we first met, how we met, when we first met in person, each visit I made there, etc. Doing that helps her to have confidence. If you give her or allow her to have as much negativity about the process as you just posted above, it will hurt her not help her.

I have a LOT of people choose a K-1, then regret it later.  I have seen no spousal visa couples say they regret choosing a CR-1 over a K-1...none.  That, in itself, speaks loudly. 

We could use some advice if anybody has some wisdom to share.
 
My fiance and her k2 have completed the medical, without the igra test for her son, and he will need to go back when some are available. At first we were going to just call it and send her back home, delay the interview and wait.
 
But she has expressed some anxiety with the interview lately, concerned what if they deny our visas. The wait is really causing stress.
 
So, we have their interview set for Tuesday, we have not canceled or rescheduled it, and now we are considering having her go through with the interview without her k2. Lets say she is approved, what would happen with the k2 visa? Is it easy to reschedule just a k2 appointment? It might be so much easier to continue everything knowing you have a visa approved.
 
What do you all think?
 
Thanks

I think this is the choice I would take too. Knowing that we are one step closer does relieve some anxiety and once approved the visa is good for 6 months so plenty of time to get the children tested so they can have their visa approved. I dont think that children are required to have an interview at the embassy (someone can correct me) so it seems that once the tests are available and the children pass they can be issued a visa and you will not need a new embassy interview.
 
Other more experienced members can clarify but that is the choice I would make. 

Hi, 
 
We were actually not told anything about the test shortage. My fiance just happened to look on the website a day or two before our appointment and happened to see the nitification and that prompted me to make this post. I think they put the notification on the website in anticipation of running out and we were just one of the lucky few that got in before the test were all gone. A courtesy call to each person with a scheduled appointment would be nice but I thik too much to anticipate or expect. This is the Philippines and things dont always go as planned there. 

I just looked it up. It's 120 days.

I just looked it up. It's 120 days.

This would have been good to know. I was trying to get you to understand that the license takes 2 weeks to get which if you were getting married on the same trip would need to be 3 weeks (to be safe). Since you said you don't plan to get married your first trip, (thank god) in might be a good idea to apply for a marriage license while you are there and it would take 2 weeks to get. You don't be there when she gets it and you have to use it. But then again if you decide to go CR1 route (which is a much better option IMO) and if you go back and use it it would mean that you could do it in a 1 week trip.

One more attempt to help you. You might find this site helpful:
https://nomadicfire.com/marriage-license-in-the-philippines
Please note #5
 
The only way for you and her to know the requirements 100% for sure is for her to go to her Municipal building and ask. Every area has slight and subtle difference that you will not find searching the internet.

I really really try to help you, but you make it very hard sometimes. I have been there done that. You will need 3 weeks. Whenever a Pinay says "they said" or "my friend said" you can't take it as fact. Ask her to go to her Municipal/LCR and get the facts on what she needs to marry a foreigner. Write them down and then have the person that she is speaking to read what she wrote and confirm that it is all correct. Once you plan this out you cannot afford a mistake. Thinking you can do this in 2 weeks is a major mistake.

As an immigrant, you have a LOT to lose coming on a K1.  I know it would not have been acceptable to me, and I moved less than 500 miles away!  

Just show both passports when leaving and he is fine. I brought my 2 sons the same way.

I grew up with a German mother, I have years of experience dealing with pessimism  

Turkish Airlines would be another major airline from the Philippines.  Though undertaking such a trip at this time seems not particularly wise unless there were very good reasons and very detailed planning.
 

Out of every post you have seen here or anywhere in the internet, find me one where a person was denied exit. If your things are in order and your fiance has a strong confident attitude it will be a breeze. Make sure your fiance has all dates regarding your relationship committed to memory. I made a cheat sheet for my wife to study. When we first met, how we met, when we first met in person, each visit I made there, etc. Doing that helps her to have confidence. If you give her or allow her to have as much negativity about the process as you just posted above, it will hurt her not help her.

Just to be clear they only have in person now. My wife was lucky enough to be able to do hers remote, if you call being stuck in covid hell and adding an extra year to our journey lucky lol. We were CR1 and married 4 years by then and had 2 children together. Her CFO which I was able to listen in on Skype was only a formality and small talk. I think we had the certificate within 4 hours of the phone call.
 

I really really try to help you, but you make it very hard sometimes. I have been there done that. You will need 3 weeks. Whenever a Pinay says "they said" or "my friend said" you can't take it as fact. Ask her to go to her Municipal/LCR and get the facts on what she needs to marry a foreigner. Write them down and then have the person that she is speaking to read what she wrote and confirm that it is all correct. Once you plan this out you cannot afford a mistake. Thinking you can do this in 2 weeks is a major mistake.

Just to be clear they only have in person now. My wife was lucky enough to be able to do hers remote, if you call being stuck in covid hell and adding an extra year to our journey lucky lol. We were CR1 and married 4 years by then and had 2 children together. Her CFO which I was able to listen in on Skype was only a formality and small talk. I think we had the certificate within 4 hours of the phone call.
 

Thank you so much Jason. My reaction and initial post here is definitely not a highlight of how to handle stress and by no means a reflection of how far we’ve come as a couple navigating these years of the K1 process. There have been times I wanted to vent about my experiences here, around Manila, living in BGC, traveling to various islands and many of the not-so-uplifting experiences we’ve had, but doing so would have undercut the great times and wonderful experiences we have had. Sadly, I failed this time around. Human as it may be, I won’t soon forget it. 
 
The Philippines is an interesting country with many kind and caring people. The constant smiles and salamat po’s will go home as an example of being courteous at all times. The Grab drivers are wicked navigators and fun to strike up conversations with, especially about traffic issues as a jump off point to talk politics, which I have yet to find one who isn’t even slightly intrigued by the subject. There is no shortage of great foods either, although I have stuck to places in areas where it appears basic health practices are being upheld, as I’m not very adventurous in the food dept. lol
 
A few gripes: cashiers could learn to scan items faster and it would be sweet if more of the guys standing around talking helped with bagging. Walmart in some areas of the USA has the same issue. Drivers really should follow the lines on the road (LMAO) - most seem like they’d struggle or at least need some serious adjustments driving in the USA. Globe should let their technicians upgrade customers on-site as a lengthy follow up appt process isn’t ideal, but it may be due to some internal dept misalignment - not sure. 
 
I hope by reading this far down folks can see that this guy (me) really did just need to blow off steam, of which I’m not proud about how I did it, and post a little bit about my thoughts about how the country handles its citizens rights to come and go as they please. 
 
For all CFO participants, please listen to other posters and relax knowing being prepared and confident are key. We are going to practice this, well my finance will. She did great during her Embassy interviews and has total confidence going to the CFO - just waiting for the visas at LBC now. 
 
Salamt 👍

The whole immigration process is long and very frustrating. If you don't know this going in, you did not do enough research. If you did your research, you know/knew what you were facing. Just stay positive, like I said I don't know of anyone who has been rejected. It took 3 years to get my wife and 2 sons here due to covid. Was it frustrating? Of course, but I learned long ago to not get bent out of shape over things I could not control. Just focus on having everything you may need, and MOST of all keep a positive attitude for your own sanity and most importantly to be that rock that your fiance needs right now. Never let them see you sweat!