jskibo

28 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Let us know if you're able to get an appointment through there.  At least as recent as September, the instructions for me and the other IR and family-preference applicants in my batch at SLEC Manila was to contact USEM directly to re-schedule our visa interviews.

 

I'll be the guinea pig.  I was able to schedule both parents IR5s.  When I logged in on Tuesday there were Jan 22 and 24 dates open (8 interview slots).  They have dropdowns for IR5 and even the adding another family member had IR5.  I received the confirmation, though it only includes mom on top, then number of applicants 2, then both names on the bottom.  Both names show on the dashboard as well

Will it work and allow them the interview on that day? Who knows but I will report back.  Hope it does as I then never have to deal with any part of this process again

The pop up on the page does state not to use it for Initial IR5 as NVC schedules, but the case was expedited so NVC didn't schedule, CEAC status Ready since 12/2

19 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

IR visa interviews are not scheduled via the booking calendar at US traveldocs.  You will need to contact the US embassy to request for a re-schedule.

 

It odd as it actually has a selection for IR5 at traveldocs

35 minutes ago, Lorenza said:

when did you received this email after the first one?

11/24 first email, 11/29 second email, 12/2 CEAC status shows ready

3 hours ago, mcstorres said:

For those who got expedited approval,

 

Did you receive some kind of email before your papers get transferred to US Embassy Manila? 

 

It's been 4 weeks for expedite for me but still 'At NVC'. Not sure if I should do something or continue to wait.

Actually got two emails.  This came first, then the one posted above. 
 

Dear Sir/Madam:

The U.S. Embassy or Consulate has accepted these cases for expedited processing. We will send these files immediately to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

If you have more questions about processing or the interview appointment date, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate directly. NVC will not schedule an interview appointment for your case. Your interview appointment will be scheduled by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

The U.S. Embassy or Consulate might request additional forms or fees at the time of your interview. Please be prepared to bring any needed items at that time.

It could take up to two weeks for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to receive the case files once they have shipped from NVC.

Please note: If your case was documentarily complete at NVC, you may receive an appointment cancellation notice from us. Please disregard this notice.

2 hours ago, mcstorres said:

For those who got expedited approval,

 

Did you receive some kind of email before your papers get transferred to US Embassy Manila? 

 

It's been 4 weeks for expedite for me but still 'At NVC'. Not sure if I should do something or continue to wait.

Yes

received this

The U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in MANILA, PHIL approved your request for expedited processing of your immigrant visa application. The National Visa Center sent your immigrant visa application to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in MANILA, PHIL for their action. The Embassy/Consulate General will contact you soon to schedule a visa interview.

If you have questions about your visa interview, please visit the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General's website at https://www.usembassy.gov.

Regards,
National Visa Center,
U.S. Department of State
https://nvc.state.gov/ask

559 day wait last I saw.  Recent Vlogger posted his mother applied, March 2023 appointment date

2 hours ago, Bochog said:

Did you use the exact same reason with the second and third one?

Yes. Just hey the PD is 7/2019 and the DQ is 3/2021. I've asked USEM multiple times and they say you have the file so they can't do anything. This has taken too long. 

Oddly the third time they approved

11 hours ago, Bochog said:

Mine was just a very short note. And my reason was somewhat medical. That's why I'm puzzled as to why it was denied.

 

Do you know of anyone who sent out multiple expedite request? How did they space it out?

 

Thanks!

We sent three. All the same. First one no response after six weeks, second one rejected after a month, wait a month to send third one and approved less than six weeks later.  
 

maybe keep trying?

10 hours ago, Spreadhope said:

great congrats! Please can you mention the reason you mentioned to expedite? Hope to do it for my parents

That’s the odd part. 
here’s the request I sent to NVC expedite. 

“Both of the below IR5 cases have been DQ’d since March 2021 and May 2021.  Both have July 2019 Priority dates.

MNL xxxxxxxxxx

MNL xxxxxxxxx

I have reached out the embassy in Manila multiple times to ask for an expedited interview date as this process is well beyond the normal timeline.  In each case they have stated they cannot schedule an interview as NVC has not forwarded the documents to them yet.

I’m requesting that both cases be forwarded to Manila and an interview be scheduled.”

I received a reply four weeks later asking for names and birthdates of the cases. Responded to that and a week later received this. 
 

“Dear Sir/Madam:

The U.S. Embassy or Consulate has accepted these cases for expedited processing. We will send these files immediately to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

If you have more questions about processing or the interview appointment date, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate directly. NVC will not schedule an interview appointment for your case. Your interview appointment will be scheduled by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

The U.S. Embassy or Consulate might request additional forms or fees at the time of your interview. Please be prepared to bring any needed items at that time.”

It could take up to two weeks for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to receive the case files once they have shipped from NVC.

Please note: If your case was documentarily complete at NVC, you may receive an appointment cancellation notice from us. Please disregard this notice.”

and oddly enough the NVC expedite worked.  They approved expedite request Wednesday after about 5 weeks.  (IR5 both parents)

Got a note back yesterday from NVCExpedite saying they accepted the expedite request and forwarding the file to Manila (IR5).

I gave no real reason in request except "hey its been since July 2019 can we get a break?"

On 11/17/2021 at 11:00 AM, ultrasoul said:

)

 

  

@jskibo Can I ask which sponsorship preference category you are waiting for an interview? My in-laws IR5 PD were Jan 2019, DQ'ed Nov 2019, and had their IV's issued at USEM Jan 2020 just before the whole COVID situation stopped all visa issuance by Mar 2020

IR5 parents. 

1 hour ago, princesstammy said:

Hello, My mother's case has been DQ'd since April 30th. I am petitioning her to get her here in the USA . I am also a Naturalized citizen. I called NVC today and he said that the Manila Embassy isnt interviewing new cases, only the ones with the scheduled interview already that was cancelled due to covid. is this true? has anybody here who are DQ'd this year and got an embassy interview date yet? Its been more than a year since I started the process and we are still waiting. 

7/2019 priority date here and 3/2021 DQ. No interview yet. Doubt we will see interviews before Q2 2022. 

50 minutes ago, Rlewis said:

Wow, how long was she on the permit until she was able to get the full license? Did she have to do the who new driver restrictive learners and all that ?

it took 3 weeks to get her first test scheduled. She hit a cone so had to redo that part.  Then hit the cone again so we needed to do another 8 hours driving with me before she could test again. Third time we switched testing locations to west side of Cincinnati and she passed.  All totaled it was almost 4 months. 

12 hours ago, Rlewis said:

Hi,

When obtaining a Ohio DL, am I able to get a full license (not permit) with a GC? I am a Canadian DL holder. I tried reading on the BMV site and it doesn't seem to specify if any tests had to be done. It only said that GC holders will be issued a regular DL.

 

Thanks!

My wife had to get the permit, take written and driving tests and then get the license.  That was 7 years ago so maybe not the latest.  

Manila very backed up on IR5 interviews.  We filed July 2019, DQ’d March 2021 and no interview in sight yet. 

2 hours ago, Talako said:

How long did you wait to hear back from the consulate on the dual citizenship?  We have been waiting 2 months with Houston.

Chicago responded in two weeks to the first request but gave us a date my wife was out of town. Second request took five days for response. 

On 10/13/2021 at 3:49 PM, jg121783 said:

The link had an option to schedule appointments in Chicago but it appears none are available.

 

Unfortunately we both work at that time so we will have to try on the weekends. My wife will be applying for naturalization soon so I wonder which will take longer. That or getting an appointment to renew her Philippines passport. We would just wait for her naturalization but we are planning on taking a trip to the Philippines next summer (assuming the covid hysteria doesn't get worse).

They just opened december this morning, got my wife a Dec 6th slot.  We were just there yesterday for Dual Citizenship.

Keep in mind as permanent as permanent residents they are required to file taxes based on any income they earn anywhere in the world. 

9 hours ago, Wendy8319 said:

Waiting for an IR5 (mother of a USC) Visa. Application was submitted 11/17/19, Approved 5/1/21, DQ’d 7/1/21. Sitting at NVC still at last check in with Manila. Very frustrating experience.

IR5

PD 7/19

DQ 3/21 

still waiting as well.  Think it’ll be quite awhile still. 

FYI. With the DC Embassy not taking new dual citizenship applications since June 18th we tried Chicago as it’s actually an easier drive for us. 
 

their system is a bit different than the embassy. They ask that you just PDF everything and email it for a pre-approval.  Sent that in mid August and wife got an email with appointment for end of September for the oath.  Pretty quick but unfortunately she’s in Vegas on a girls trip the day of oath so we had to ask to reschedule.  They only do them Tuesday and Thursday with passport appointment M,W,F.  If you need both plan an overnight stay.  

36 minutes ago, Joe Kano said:

I will post some pics of my nephews house once it starts to take shape, He is thinking about putting a pool in.  He built a bunkhouse and has about 7 guys living in there on the property. He has been building on it for about 3 months now. I will keep you updated on his cost.

 

Have you ever thought just about renting a cool place and not worrying about building, it looks like you can snag some pretty sweet homes with scenic view for $600 per month, and easily find $300 to $400 monthly rent on nice homes?

 

 

Thanks would be interesting to see his build. 
 

I don’t really have an interest in renting.  Want something the wife and kids can have when I’m gone.  She’ll have my three pensions as well so nothing for them to worry about. 
 

my limited experience with renting there as I covered her family’s costs for several years before I bought her mom a house was finicky landlords who liked jacking the price when a Kano is involved, and didn’t want to renew leases after we made some improvements (as they won’t even fix anything) so kept having to move.  I just want our place where we can do with it as we like. 

17 minutes ago, Joe Kano said:

I watch some dude who lives on like $80 per month apartment who is a vlogger, he is pretty sensible guy .

 

How much are they spending on house builds? My relative is spending a ton on his house.  He purchased one hectare they wanted 5 million peso he got it for 3.5 million.  He has 70K USD in the land, he had to put almost 40K USD in a hollow block wall surrounding it and driveway.  I saw this week they put the first pole in the ground for the house.  I suspect he will be spending another 100K on the house build.

 

Gone are the days of finding cheap land in the Philippines.

Most won't say and only dance around price per square meter.  The guy that's been completed a few years now gave the full price breakdown of his pool addition but still plays coy on the house. 

The lots were pretty expensive at 4M for 700 sq m when I inquired a few years ago. I see they have dropped to 3.4m recently. 

Philippines lifestyle 365 guy actually vlogged a spreadsheet breakdown of his build in one video and it was around $168k for 300 sq m house. His builder was a Brit guy and a bit particular on his materials and mixes so I assume a premium for his work.  Unfortunately he fell off vlogging just as tile was going in and hadn't posted since. Two more build starting across the street from James of mypidream vlog shortly and another retired navy master chief moving to same subdivision early next year to start his. 

We are trying to finish up a lot purchase in Eagle Ridge country club up in Gen Trias Cavite. Still have 5 years and one month before retirement. Looking at 3400 sq m but I like the area and close to where wife grew up. 

Batangas becoming Dumagute north. Lots of expats.  Quite a few vloggers documenting house builds in the area.  There is 4 with more starting soon just in Tierra Maria subdivision alone. 
 

close to Tagaytay so that can be good or bad depending on Taal volcanoes mood 😀