Bernie4Bien

Twin VJ sis...CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy for you and for all of us who got our packet 4. As for the rest, just hang in there....the week is not over yet.....!

Packet 4 is pouring!!!!!!!!!

Ailene hasn't received her packet 4 yet. Has anyone with an August interview date got their packet yet? Do they deliver on Saturdays?

Hii!! I got my pocket this morning.....my schedule is july 30 for medical and aug 6 for my interview.

jean

Congratulations Jean! Now that makes 3 of us, you, me and rea got the same schedules for both medical and interview...kita kits!

Bien

Got ours today!!!

Congratulations Jen! Rea got hers too today!

It's ..DHL...Jen just called ..they will deleiver ours June 25th monday...they called her to find her place..today..

She lives in Cebu City ...Finnally

I got my packet 4 last Saturday, July 23 from DHL.

However, when DHL called me and informed me they will deliver it door-to-door on Monday....I just can't wait...I picked it up at their office. There are so many packet 4s in the box when I got there......

I live in Cebu City.

DHL must be busy delivering packet 4s today....hehehe

We received our packet 4 last Saturday, June 23.

I received my PACKET 4 TODAY! yippeeeyyyyy

Things are getting faster and faster now!!!! I got my appointment letter just today!

But anyway, I have one query...

Are we allowed to have medical exam during the "red" days (the ladies thing) ???

Nope....St. Luke's will not let you have your medical exam when you have your period or during the "red" days.

I received my PACKET 4 TODAY! yippeeeyyyyy

DHL called me up at 1:20 P.M. informing me they just received something from the US Embassy for me and to be delivered on Monday.....so why wait on Monday......I went to DHL head office right away and pick-up my Packet 4 at 2:15 P.M..........

There are at least 20 or so express mails from the US Embassy in there (they let me take a peek at the box....hehehe).

Take a breathe fellows and watch out for DHL a van passing by at your area, it could be your Packet 4!!!!

I received my PACKET 4 TODAY! yippeeeyyyyy

DHL called me up at 1:20 P.M. informing me they just received something from the US Embassy for me and to be delivered on Monday.....so why wait on Monday......I went to DHL head office right away and pick-up my Packet 4 at 2:15 P.M..........

There are at least 20 or so express mails from the US Embassy in there (they let me take a peek at the box....hehehe).

Take a breathe fellows and watch out for a DHL van passing by at your area, it could be your Packet 4!!!!

God Bless!

:o ... weird, as i checked the website for the interview sked, it doesn't shows our sked already instead it says "case # is not found???".... I do hope "Eddie&Mary"'s comment about this topic is RIGHT.

I just called USE, and asked them again for my medical and interview date. They told me the same thing . The medical is on the 27th of July and interview is on the 3rd of August. They are having a problem with their site and therefore all case numbers entered says the same thing"Case # not found". So if you already received a date, then that is when you appear. Excuse me, I have to go and make some reservations!!

Same thing here....Bernie called them and was told that our schedule remains as is....so there is nothing to worry.....good thing I have printed our appointment schedule from their website...

Good luck to us all!

HUH

Did you read this post????

Arrived same day and IM 2.5 months behind them. My papers arrived the same day.

.............

Our papers also arrived on the 4th of June at the Embassy, and how come, I already have my medical and interview dates (taken from the embassy visa appointment website).

Don't tell me, this is just a false alarm. I already booked our tickets.

USEM received our papers May 18th but we are scheduled days later than those received on June 4th (they are scheduled ahead of us). Rea and I have the same medical and interview schedules but I think USEM did not received our papers on the same day.

So maybe they run out of appointment slots even if yours arrived on June 4th.....I guess they picked it in random.....things could happen.....or maybe you did not make it to the cut-off period.....

And I agree with Intelek, USEM told us that we have to wait for 3 to 4 months but we were surprised when we learned we already have a schedule.

The important thing is that USEM have your papers, it's in Manila now.....hope you will have your schedule on September....it will come when you least expect it....

I spoke to the Manila embassy today. She said they have NO appointments available for june, july, aug, and the 1st two weeks of sept. They will not mail out our packet 4 until the appointments are available and the backlog is gone.

She said we might get an end of sept appointment and maybe the packet 4 in one month. My papers arrived june 4th.

BIG delays..............BUMMER!!!!!!!!!!

Epiphany, you are really just causing panic for no reason, everyone waits from 3-4 months , after the embassy receives there information.

HUH

Did you read this post????

Arrived same day and IM 2.5 months behind them. My papers arrived the same day.

.............

Our papers also arrived on the 4th of June at the Embassy, and how come, I already have my medical and interview dates (taken from the embassy visa appointment website).

Don't tell me, this is just a false alarm. I already booked our tickets.

USEM received our papers May 18th but we are scheduled days later than those received on June 4th (they are scheduled ahead of us). Maybe when they got your papers even if it is on June 4th, just in time they run out of appointment slots.....I guess they picked it in random.....things could happen.....

Calling all Phil-Am CSC February filers!!! im starting this topic because we might be bumping into each other soon at St. Lukes for medical and at the manila embassy..it would be nice to know each other, get ourselves connected and share some tips too..

Bernie called State Department and our packet was mailed on June 12. Anyone here have received their packet already?

Girls when do you plan to go for your medical exam at St. Luke's? I am looking at July 16 for me.

Notice/Reminders: Check your monthly period if it coincides with your medical appointment. Otherwise, St. Luke's will not allow you to have medical exam......I called them yesterday to confirm this and sure thing...."No Period" the guy from St. Luke's inform me. Do not forget ladies!

hi everyone,

on 6/14 we finally received our medical and appointment dates from the embassy website

July 26

August 2

but now the embassy shows our case # not on File... What gives??? Anyone else have this problem ??? Is it time to start worring ???

I noticed the same thing with our case number...the site was down for a while earlier, perhaps the database got corrupted?

Thanks... that good to hear, I thoght they maybe move our date, or somebody hit the delete button on accident

same here....after reading your post, I checked ours and sure enough, our case number is not found.....but it was there yesterday when I checked.....

hi bien,

i am also from the queen city of the south, CEBU =) both me and my fiance are..that's why i will be taking my CFO in cebu also after my interview puhon.. how about you where in cebu? thanks for the cfo tips =)

rea

Hehehhe....I'm in Guadalupe. Where in Cebu are you?

It really is so nice to know someone also from here. Not to mention our medical and interview schedules are the same...hahaha....maybe you are right...we are twins... Next thing we know we are bumping each other at the airport...

Bien

CFO done.....got my certificates...

Summary

I arrived at St. Mary's in Cebu for the guidance and counseling at 7:15 A.M. and I am 8th on the list. They will accept 15 only. We were ushered inside the office at exactly 7:30 A.M. We were called one by one. Once called, submit photocopies of my and fiance's birth certificates, passports, (include marriage contract if married). I presented also original copies of these documents together with my 2 valid IDs with photographs. A form was given for me to fill-up. Once done, submitted and paid Php 250.00. Was called again for a picture shoot using a webcam. The picture will be printed on the blue certificate (like the NBI clearance). After all 15 are done, as a group we were ushered inside a room for orientation or guidance and counseling which ends at 12:00 noon. Afternoon session was the one on one counseling. If counselors finds you OK, you will get your blue certificate. I received my blue certificate at 3: 15 P.M. Next stop was CFO office (rode a taxi).

CFO: Make sure to photocopy your blue certificate and the receipt of the Php 250.00 from St. Mary's. I submitted my photocopies and presented the original copies at the counter. Paid Php 400.00 and wait...minutes later, I received my white certificate (looks white). If you already had your visa, they will stamp or put a sticker next/beside your visa/passport. I don't have my visa yet. I will come back to CFO to register once I will have my visa and show to them my certificates from St. Mary's and CFO as proof that I have completed the seminar....then they will stamp/put sticker to my visa/passport.

Arrived home at 4:30 P.M.....totally exhausted!

But it was fun and I really enjoyed the guidance and counseling at St. Mary's. Talked and shared stories with the ladies too.

thanks for sharing this bien, i will be taking my cfo seminar in cebu also after my interview at least i now have an idea how it works more or less

Oh one more thing. If you don't live in Cebu or in Manila, it is best and wise if you take your CFO seminar once you have your visa in hand so that you don't have to come back and forth. That way you can save time and money. Besides the CFO thing can be completed within the day. Just make sure to come very early and be among the first 15 participants, go there before 7:30A.M., probably 7:00A.M.

Here are St. Mary's and CFO's contact numbers (in Cebu):

ST. Mary's = (6332) 235-3745 / 235-3746

CFO = (6332) 255-5253

Rea where in PI are you from?

God Bless Us All!

Hi,

I just had my CFO yesterday in Cebu. I don't have a visa yet and it is good to have this done and over with while waiting for my medical and interview which are scheduled on July and August, respectively.

Click this LINK to read my CFO experience which I posted under the Phil-Am CSC February 2007 Filers topic.

For further information re CFO, here's a link to their website: http://www.cfo.gov.ph/fs_cebu.htm

I hope this helps.

oh yes, that helps a lot. just to double check..you pay p250 for the class & p400 for the document proving you passed & paid to get the stamp & cert. when you come back to cebu office after you have your visa in hand?

thanks so much!

YES...

Php250.00 for guidance and counseling (certificate of attendance)

Php400.00 for CFO certificate and sticker (stamped on your visa/passport)

No visa yet

Keep the certificates from guidance and counseling and CFO as well as the receipts (I suggest). You will need them when you go back to CFO office when you have your visa in hand. Then a sticker is stamped on your visa/passport.

Already had a visa

If you already had your visa, upon payment of Php400.00 and completion of the registration form your passport will be stamped right there and then.

Below is an excerpt from the CFO website.

A. Counseling Requirements for Filipino Spouses and Other Partners of Foreign Nationals

1. Two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with photograph;
   
2. Duly completed guidance and counseling form;
   
3. If married, certified true copy and photocopy of marriage contract on security paper from the National Statistics Office (NSO), or Local Civil Registry Offices (LCRO); or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate (if married abroad)
   
4. Other documents as may be required by the counselors; and
   
5. Payment of P250.00 counseling fee.
   

After receipt of the passport and visa, the Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals will have to register with CFO prior to their departure. Registration is done either in CFO Manila or CFO Cebu, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An emigrant registration sticker is affixed to the emigrants passport as proof of registration.

B. Registration Requirements for Filipino Spouses and Other Partners of Foreign Nationals

1. Original Passport;
   
2. Original and photocopy of visa;
   
3. Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound/Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada bound/Embassy Certification of Eligibility (for Spain bound C visa holders);
   
4. Original CFO guidance and counseling certificate;
   
5. Duly completed emigrant registration form; and
   
6. Payment of the authorized registration fee.
   

Good luck!

Hi,

I just had my CFO yesterday in Cebu. I don't have a visa yet and it is good to have this done and over with while waiting for my medical and interview which are scheduled on July and August, respectively.

Click this LINK to read my CFO experience which I posted under the Phil-Am CSC February 2007 Filers topic.

For further information re CFO, here's a link to their website: http://www.cfo.gov.ph/fs_cebu.htm

I hope this helps.

Hi,

I just had my CFO yesterday in Cebu. I don't have a visa yet and it is good to have this done and over with while waiting for my medical and interview which are scheduled on July and August, respectively.

Click this LINK to read my CFO experience which I posted under the Phil-Am CSC February 2007 Filers topic.

For further information re CFO, here's a link to their website: http://www.cfo.gov.ph/fs_cebu.htm

I hope this helps.

'Bernie4Bien'

For the Medical:

Appointment letter (and photo copy)

3 pieces Photo (write name and put signature at the back of the photos, I also put there my MNL#

$95 (to be paid in pesos depending on the current exchange rate at USEM)

Passport

For CFO: They have 3 sessions every day (For Filipino Spouses and other Partners of Foreign Nationals) and they can accomodate about 12-15 per sessions. If you want to finish early, you may want to attend the 10AM session, next will be at 130pm and the next will be at 330pm.

THANK YOU VSMTGHDY!!!!

I completed my CFO in Cebu yesterday......got my certificates as well!!!!

Next preparation will be the medical, then the most awaited interview.....getting closer now...

God bless us all!

Just wanted to let everybody knows that I finally got my visa yesterday - 7 days after my interview. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Now it's time to pack my things and be with my David!

--Mae

CONGRATS DAVID AND MAE!!! And thanks for sharing your Interview experience, that will be a great help for those who are still waiting for their interview scheds...

CONGRATULATIONS DAVID & MAE!

'island_princess'

You can bring your NOA2 (and photocopy), or you can print out your schedule at USEM web and that will be your appointment letter/schedule. You can also call SLEC and request for a packet pick-up with them, so when you go there to pick up your packet, you can also go ahead and have your medical. SLEC: 521-0020 or 521-8647. Packet pick-up is located at the ground floor to the right (Window E or F).

'jeng'

Your POE is the first US state you arrived/landed in and that will be HAWAII.

'imaskin'

They did not get my CXR plates. The Immigration officer is Pinay and she told me I can even throw it away and that it is not really needed since the results are already inside the "envelop" and that is what they need. But just keep your CXR plates in your home as souvineer.

'Bernie4Bien'

For the Medical:

Appointment letter (and photo copy)

3 pieces Photo (write name and put signature at the back of the photos, I also put there my MNL#

$95 (to be paid in pesos depending on the current exchange rate at USEM)

Passport

For CFO: They have 3 sessions every day (For Filipino Spouses and other Partners of Foreign Nationals) and they can accomodate about 12-15 per sessions. If you want to finish early, you may want to attend the 10AM session, next will be at 130pm and the next will be at 330pm.

honeysweet'

CONGRATS!!!

THANK YOU!

I am done with my CFO today.....got my certificates! Yippeyyyy

My advice to all who’ll have the interview is to make sure you got all the necessary documents pretty well-covered so that whatever they’ll ask for, it can be provided. You never know what they will ask from you so better got everything readily available. Wear smile and confidence no matter how nervous you are. Politeness is a virtue as well, especially with the consul. They can ask tricky questions so make sure you are ready for it. Anyway if you are being true and honest, no matter what / how the consul asks you, you’ll always speak for what is true. And oh, keep yourself entertained because the waiting is a lot harder than the interview itself. Look for Mr. Congeniality… he was wearing peach that day… It’s like he’s the one in-charge to help the applicants forget about the nervousness. Make friends with fellow applicants and chat with them to while away the time.

Questions from the pre-screener:

Who my petitioner is

Where, how and when we met

When he visited me, for how long

Documents she asked from me:

NBI

CENOMAR

BC

Pictures

Recent snail mails

My fiancé 2006 ITR and I-134

Questions from the consul:

Who my petitioner is

Where, how and when we met

When did he visit me, for how long, where we went and what we did

If he’s married before (when I said yes and for how many times, he got a follow up question: How can you be sure that you’ll be the last wife?)

If he got kids

His job

His favorite color (I thought it was funny but I realized, he asked because David’s emails to me that we included in our original I-129F application were in bright colors; name a color and we got it; so I just smiled and told him my fiancé’s real favorite color)

His hobbies

And the last but not the least, how did I know that I will be the last wife (yup, that question again but I could tell that he was just making fun of me because he was smiling mischievously)

It took more than 9 hrs before I was called in a 5-minute interview with the consul, so imagine the long and frustrating wait. But it was worth all the hardships, effort, preparations… everything… when I finally got the visa. It was a good sign and I knew right then that I will be approved (modesty aside ) when the consul joked around and made fun of me. When he asked me to raise my hand and swear that I would tell the truth, I asked him if I have to stand up and he said: Oh, ok… (I stood up) raise your right hand (and so I did)… now lift your left foot on the chair… and I was like “Are you serious?” and he laughed heartily as if he was enjoying having me fooled. He then said that he was just kidding and that I could just sit down. I forgot about the nervousness because I was laughing so hard. It was a breeze talking to him like we’re just close friends. I was itching to ask him if I got approved after enjoying himself kidding me but I didn’t want him to think that I was pushing my luck. All in all, the interview wasn’t so bad if not for the long wait. But like I said, having the visa and seeing the future with my honey is worth everything. I also made some friends there, sang songs while waiting for our turns and made fun of Mr. Congeniality. I also met a girl who doesn’t deserve to have a visa with the way she treated her fiancé who’s with her during the interview. I felt bad for the guy because she humiliated and embarrassed him countless times, in front of many people. She’s lucky that he’s with him. She was so nervous when she was interviewed the guy answered all the questions for her. I think she’ll be on AR (being a nosy woman, I asked her fiancé how the interview went) because she got scars on her wrist and St. Lukes asked her to see a psychiatrist first (darn right!) and also, her passport was worn out the consul ripped it (in a nice way, according to them) and asked her to apply for a new one and submit it right away. It’s not that I’m being judgmental but I think he deserves better than her… Oh well, like a cliché goes “love is blind…”

Good luck to all of you who will have their interviews…

--Mae (signing off over the weekend)

Congrats!!!!

And thanks so much for the info!!!

I thought all the waiting would kill me, but now I see that was just preparation for this step...getting all the documents ready for the interview!

CONGRATULATIONS DAVID & MAE!!!!

CFO done.....got my certificates...

Summary

I arrived at St. Mary's in Cebu for the guidance and counseling at 7:15 A.M. and I am 8th on the list. They will accept 15 only. We were ushered inside the office at exactly 7:30 A.M. We were called one by one. Once called, submit photocopies of my and fiance's birth certificates, passports, (include marriage contract if married). I presented also original copies of these documents together with my 2 valid IDs with photographs. A form was given for me to fill-up. Once done, submitted and paid Php 250.00. Was called again for a picture shoot using a webcam. The picture will be printed on the blue certificate (like the NBI clearance). After all 15 are done, as a group we were ushered inside a room for orientation or guidance and counseling which ends at 12:00 noon. Afternoon session was the one on one counseling. If counselors finds you OK, you will get your blue certificate. I received my blue certificate at 3: 15 P.M. Next stop was CFO office (rode a taxi).

CFO: Make sure to photocopy your blue certificate and the receipt of the Php 250.00 from St. Mary's. I submitted my photocopies and presented the original copies at the counter. Paid Php 400.00 and wait...minutes later, I received my white certificate (looks white). If you already had your visa, they will stamp or put a sticker next/beside your visa/passport. I don't have my visa yet. I will come back to CFO to register once I will have my visa and show to them my certificates from St. Mary's and CFO as proof that I have completed the seminar....then they will stamp/put sticker to my visa/passport.

Arrived home at 4:30 P.M.....totally exhausted!

But it was fun and I really enjoyed the guidance and counseling at St. Mary's. Talked and shared stories with the ladies too.

Dear All,

I would like to verify...

I still got no appointment packet in my hand, however, I want to go for early medical exam (2 weeks earlier than the my sched). What must I bring in lieu of my appointment packet?

I am planning for an early medical too but I have not received my packet yet. I have no idea how to go about it and what to bring. Shed some light please

Go to this link and scroll down to #5.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=68967

Good Luck,

Charlie

Thank you Charlie! I scanned it briefly and seems everything is in there. I will look at it in more detail later or tonight so I can digest on it thoroughly and and more questions later.... hehehehe Right now I am on my way to the photocopy center to have my documents photocopied in preparation for my CFO tomorrow. Hopefully I can make it to the list....I was told that only 15 will be accepted for US bound participants. Need to be there very early in the morning.