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Hi @J&J 2020 I read your concern & situation, and also confused why they didn't just approve yours or maybe we just got lucky.
 
We brought all the updated 2019 AOS,Transcripts,w2s,Tax returns just in case, but they didn't asked for it. Maybe because they understood that there is a pandemic?
The only difference in our situation is that on the CEAC we uploaded a W2. 
 
I would go with what your planning and submit what you have and include a copy of the page that states : The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s most recent IRS transcript, or most recent tax return and any relevant W-2s, if the transcript is unavailable
 

Should be just fine.. I am a graduate of UP and I applied to different grad schools here in the US and was accepted into all of them. I just had my transcript evaluated by World Education Services (WES) and the results came out as equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree. I never had to take extra courses to get into grad school. I even got a tuition waiver in school and have a graduate assistant job. The key is not to feel inferior, just know your worth. I have gotten some ignorant comments from other people who don't know anything about the Philippines, and I just politely correct them. I work hard and study harder and that's all that matters. Goodluck!

There are USCIS fee changes scheduled to take effect on October 2nd. The USCIS Immigrant Fee is one of few fees that will decrease. https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-adjusts-fees-to-help-meet-operational-needs
 
Do note that there is talk about lawsuit from immigrant advocacy groups against the fee changes: https://mobile.twitter.com/gsiskind/status/1296992997679288324 Hard to predict if something will result from it (e.g. delaying fee changes, etc.)

Nope. You still need to pay $220 that's the green card (form I-551) fee. They also call it as the USCIS Immigrant Fee.

No, that fee went to Department of State (DOS); NVC is part of DOS. USCIS Immigrant Fee is paid to USCIS. If paid on or after October 2nd it's $30 dollars cheaper than now.

Hi everyone,
 
My wife just received her CR1 visa.  We were fortunate to get ours done in these challenging times, and hope others will get their visa soon.
 
My wife will wait a few weeks before travelling to the US.  I am wondering when is the best time to pay the GC fee?  I have the visa information to pay now, but I don't think USCIS will act on it until they get notified by CBP that she entered the US, correct?  Should I pay now, or pay closer to her travel time, perhaps a week before her flight?  My worry is that the system may archive the payment information and cause USCIS personnel to not find it right away.
 
To those who have paid early and those that paid after entry:  What are your experiences?   
 
 
 
 

Embassy wants a copy of your most recent tax transcript/tax return  (2019)  And of course an updated I-864.   Same goes for the joint sponsor.
 
https://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/us-embassy-usem.html

You can upload the updated i864 before the interview, therefore, the CO will have time to review it before the interview. Also take a hard copy with you just in case they ask for a copy. And just to be sure, I would bug your joint sponsors for any updated forms.
 
Edit: Dont forget your 2019 tax returns.

The request for the most current Tax Return is simply the tax return that you have filed and has been excepted by the IRS. Since you have not submitted 2017 and it is not past April 15th you are only required to submit 2016. So the 2016 transcripts that you have from the IRS is what your stepson will bring to the interview and present WHEN ASKED.  Advise your stepson to answer only questions that are asked of him, not volunteer ANY information and to keep any answers to their questions SHORT and to the POINT.  What might be an Innocent statement from your stepson, can cause the CO to continue asking questions and digging for additional information and at some point the interview could be over with the possibility that your stepson meant one thing but the CO drew a different conclusion and that conclusion could end his visa chance with a denial. We have seen it happened, so word to the wise.
 
To your second question I submit the following:
 
https://www.uscis.gov/forms/tips-filing-form-i-864a-contract-between-sponsor-and-household-member
 

They are VERY precise.  My wife entered the US 1 month short of our 2 year anniversary.  The officer at POE said "If you had waited 30 more days, I could give you an IR-1 stamp".......
 
I suggest entering on or after the 2 year anniversary.  A 10 year GC is so much less hassle than a 2 year one.

One day after 2years wedding anniversary is IR-1. One day before 2years wedding anniversary is CR-1 

It's either 2 years or it's not.  No room for discretion at all.

https://mypathtocitizenship.com/convert-cr1-ir1-visa-married-2-years-poe/
 
We are basing this of the previous article. My Wife and I got married the 24th of June 2016 and I’m planning to enter the US with my visa in June of this year. Our questions arise with how precise the tend to be at the point of entry. I was first looking at flying to the US on the 15th of June 2018 which would make us shy of 2 years by 9 days. I’m now looking into flying into the US on the 25th of June which will be one day over 2 years.
 
I guess our main question is how precise are they at the point of entry with these dates. Would they not upgrade my CR1 to IR1 if I’m 9 days shy of 2 years married? And if they are strict would entering the US when I have been married for 2 years and 1 day be completely fine?

Dear all,
I am glad to inform the “visajourneyer” family members that, in a letter dated of January 23rd 2019, the NVC has upgraded the visa category of my relatives from CR1 and CR2 to IR1 and IR2, based on our marriage that became older than two years during the processing time.
In fact, at the very beginning when I first submitted the I-130 petition for alien relatives on July 10th 2017, our marriage was less than two years old for being celebrated on December 31st 2016. 
In the approvals and all letters received from USCIS and NVC as well, the visa categories were mentioned CR1 for my wife and CR2 for my step-children.
I learned about the CR and IR visa category difference on the visajourney.com forum I am a member of. 
Alongside of the supporting documents or the NVC package I sent out on December 07th 2018, I submitted a request to upgrade the visa category as suggested a thread I found on visajouney.com.
On December 19th 2019, I received a RFE (copy enclosed) stating that “{the immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) does not allow derivative status ……}.
I responded by recalling the difference between the visa categories CR and IR while providing  copies of the VJ explanation related to CR and IR visa category  (https://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/IR1_and_CR1_Immigrant_Visas  ) as well as the  USCIS page https://my.uscis.gov/exploremyoptions/us_petition_for_immediate_relative.
On January 23rd, 2019, I am receiving from NVC, a notification letter with the visa category upgraded for CR1 and CR2 to IR1 for my wife and IR2 for my step-children.
In others words, upon arrival, my relatives will receive a 10 years green cards instead of that of 2 years CR (Conditional Residence).
Should any visajourney family member having similar case, coming across the letter, governs (himself/herself) accordingly.
Sincerely
VJ_NVC_CHECKLIST_IR_Letter.pdf VJ_JHN2018555001.pdf

You can have it delivered wherever you want 

@Hank_ will be by shortly, he is the expert on the Philippines.

To get the CENOMAR shipped quicker use the EXPEDITE service by opening a FEDEX acct (easy to do)..  I would not recommend PhilPost mailing service as it does not arrive many times .    ... as in NEVER arrives.
 
https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph/Secure/Files/PSASerbilis Special Courier Service.pdf
 
https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph/Secure/Delivery.aspx

Oh I see, then I will just bring one then since I am bit allergy to delays that it may cause Thank you so much for your help:)

Am pretty sure once Europe and America open up, the rest of the world will follow thru. Looks like Trump is trying hard to  portray that all is over and is business as usual. So we hope  he will soon lift the travel ban. Another theory is , all major  airlines are pushing for governments to open international flights. The global economy is inter-depending  . 
 
May June may be the turning point.

Kuwait will try to resume June 22: https://kw.usembassy.gov/ambassador-alina-l-romanowski-on-the-embassys-post-lockdown-work-resumption-plan/
Cambodia starting visa waiver/drop off processing June 3: https://kh.usembassy.gov/notice-on-visa-services/
Sweden's update seems to imply visa interviews could occur shortly: 
https://se.usembassy.gov/message-for-u-s-citizens-embassy-stockholm-covid-19-update-15-embassy-closed-may-25th-face-coverings-required-for-embassy-visitors/
 
An Indian embassy mentioned they're accepting non-immigrant interview appointment rescheduling starting in October: https://twitter.com/USAndMumbai/status/1266426133513244675
 
The global suspension of visa processing doesn't appear to have lifted so it's unclear if that has an unpublished expiration date, embassies can start operations at their leisure, or the that the state department may ask the above examples to pause longer.
 
I would strongly advice watching embassy news sites, embassy twitter feeds (including their replies to other) as these are the official US government updates on these matters, and that appointments opening without the embassies acknowledging it may be a limitation of their systems on how long the interviews can be paused for.
 

My medical examination schedule is March 19, 2019. I arrived in Manila on March 18 and stayed in Time Travellers Hotel near St. Lukes Extension Clinic. Its a nice hotel with a good price. Good air conditioning, with table and chairs, nice queen sized bed, it has fridge with 2 complimentary bottled water, nice shower with heater, they also provide toiletries(toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and conditioner) with 2 bath towels. It also has telivision but no cable. The wifi is only for 1 day use and for one phone only.
 
 
1st DAY
 
3:30 AM - Rode a tricycle (i don't know what they call it coz its different from a tricycle) going to St lukes for less than a minute from the hotel where i stayed. I decided not to walk because some people said that it is dangerous to walk there specially when its dark because there are some pickpocketers.
 
3:31 AM - Fall in line. Luckily only few people where in line. 
 
4:30-5 AM - Time to enter the building.. the guard took: My passport, 1 photocopy of my passport, 1 copy of NVC letter with MNL case number, 4 pcs 2x2 photo, and 1 copy of online registration form and handed me a number, I was number 36. (RED in color for one applicant and GREEN in color for 2 or more applicant (family or with child). Your photo should be 2x2 in size , not a passport size with white background and should be on glossy photo paper. No eye glasses, no earings or necklace its not allowed or else the guard will ask you to come back again.  
 
5-5:30 AM - They started to call out numbers and assist me to the window on the 1st floor. On the window  I gave the documents with my passport and pictures to the lady and then she asked some questions like: Am i married? Do i have kids? and Where in the US do i wish to travel? Then she for my right index finger for biometrics(4 times) & sign a paper, and asked me to look at the camera for picture. She gave me a checklist then asked me to proceed to 5th floor for payment.
 
6 AM - The guard on duty took my checklist and asked me to wait until she called my name then proceed to the cashier for payment. After paying, the cashier told me to go to 4th floor for blood & urine test.
 
6:45 AM - I gave the checklist to the reception area on the 3rd floor and they asked me for my passport and told me to wait. During blood test the nurse asked my name and who sponsored me to go to the U.S. then asked me when was the last time i peed and then told me to proceed to the urine test. (They were asking when was the last time you peed because it depends if your going to take the urine test right after the blood test or not, i guess it should be 1 hour before you last peed.) I proceed to the urine test area then the nurse took my checklist and asked my name and then she gave a container for urine sample. The urine sample must be just right amount.. not below the line.. and do not add water in it.. it can be over the line but just a little bit.. do not fill the container too much or else the nurse will ask you to repeat the test after 1 hour. Then the nurse gave back my checklist and told me to go to 3rd floor for Xray.
 
7:15 AM - I gave the checklist to the reception area on the 3rd floor then asked me to fill up a form. She also asked when was my last menstruation. (Write the exact date) I waited for my name to be called then the receptionist gave back my checklist and give a number and then told me to proceed to Xray room. I wore a hospital gown, removed my bra and tied my hair up. (Dont worry they have a dressing room. But dont leave your bag and clothes take it with you) Then wait again for my number to be called for Xray test. The nurse at the Xray room asked me to follow me the right breathing for the test. After the test  the nurse told me to proceed to 2nd floor for immunization.
 
7:25 AM - I gave my checklist to the reception area on the 2nd floor then they gave a form to fill up and gave back to them and told me to wait for my name to be called. 
 
9:30 AM - My name was called and ask me to proceed to the Doctors area on the immunization area. The doctor asked about my name, my birthday and age and my sponsor. She also asked about my past illnesses, if i take medicines, if i had vaccines, when was my first and last menstruation..etc.. basically about my health. You should listen attentively to the doctor. After that she asked me to proceed to 5th floor for physical exam.
 
9:35 AM - I gave my checklist to the guard then she put it in the box in the blood pressure area (i forgot what they call it) then i waited for my name to be called. 1st the nurse took my weight and height. wait for my name to be called again. 2nd took my blood pressure.  wait again. 3rd proceeded to eye test then gave back my checklist and ask me to give it to the US counter.. and then wait again for my physical exam.
 
11:35 - The long wait is over.. The USA counter called my name and handed me a number and ask me to proceed to room 7. I waited again. Inside room 7, the doctor asked for my passport, sign on logbook, then asked me so many questions about: If i take medicines, if i have illnesses like tb..etc.., if i have allergies, (just like the questions in the doctors area) then the doctor asked if i had suicide attempts, what i finished in school.. and then she asked me to change to hospital gown and took off my socks, I didnt took off my underwear including my bra. The doctor ask me to lay down on the bed then she asked me to bend my knees and checked my abdomen, my wrist, then asked me to sit and checked my neck, then she told me to stand up and then she checked my lower back.. then thats it! I said thank you to the doctor.
 
11:55 - I gave my checklist to the USA counter on the 5th floor then wait again for my name to be called.
 
12:30 - My name was called and the lady ask me to go back tomorrow for my result.


TIPS!!
 
Food is not allowed inside the clinic so better to eat before your medical exam.
You can bring water inside, if you didnt its okay because there are water fountains inside.
Wear a comfortable clothes and shoes that are easily to take off. Do not wear complicated clothes or shoes.
I suggest you wear slip on shoes.
Bring jacket with you because its cold inside the clinic. 
Listen attentively. Leave your earphones behind. 
If you have past medications or baby book, bring it with you.
Listen carefully and attentively to the nurses and doctors so it wont cause you any delay.
 
 
 
2nd day
 
My time schedule is 9am but i went there at 7am.
 
I went directly to the guard he took my checklist and stamp saying "immunization room 2nd floor"
 
I went to 2nd floor and give my checklist to the reception area and wait my name to be called. 
 
My name was called then I proceed to Immunization room 2nd floor and the nurse ask for my passport, my name and when is my 1st and last menstruation what is the name of my fiance. Then i get my vaccines. (I had 2 vaccines, anti-tetanus and MMR.) The nurse ask me to proceed to 1st floor for my result. Then i waited for my name to be called.
 
On window F the lady ask for my passport, my name, my address and ask me to check the documents if it has my correct name, address, MNL case number and passport number. Then she asked me to take pictures of the copy of my vaccination record using my phone.She handed me the envelope that says "DO NOT OPEN" that i have to bring to the interview (I think it contains all the records/results of my medical examination) Then she also handed me the vaccination record that i have to bring to the USA.
 
I waited about 30-40 mins to get my vaccines and my results. 
 
 
For every tests i took i always pray and pray and pray.. until i get my result!!
 
DON'T FORGET TO PRAY! GOOD LUCK!
 

What stage are you in?
If you're just starting and in the USCIS stage------>You'll need to call USCIS Expedite hotline (1-800-375-5283)
If you're in the NVC stage----->you would send an email to that email.
And your reasons are good enough for expedite. 
For our expedite, I (Petitioner) did the emailing.

Goodluck!

UPDATE:
 
We just received the schedule from the US embassy Manila today. We are schedule on March 17, 2020.
 
It is a bit odd though because the Medical Exam is also scheduled with date and time.
 
All good now!  🙂

Update guys!
 
Our expedite request was approved Feb 27. We already schedule our interview on March 17 at US Embassy Manila. I will update my status once we are done. 

Yes .. and the medical, I forgot to mention that.      
 
thanks