Steve2022

I'd forget the attorney and hire an agency that is not an attorney, such as RapidVisa or CitizenPath or Boundless (which now owns Rapidvisa).  There may be other similar ones. I think there is some sort of a paid service here on VJ.  The agencies have a lot more collective experience than a single attorney and however many paralegals they have actually doing the work.  I had been talking to an attorney and getting wildly different advice than RapidVisa agents had been giving me.  The RapidVisa agents were not always consistent, and I'd get different answers from different agents, but 2/3 of them seemed pretty knowledgeable.  In the end, I decided that RapidVisa was more correct, and I figured the attorney was either making stuff up and/or didn't know what she was doing.  She probably spends most of her time trying to help people stay in the USA who overstayed their visas, not helping people immigrate legally.  Whoever helps you, you had better check everything yourself.  RapidVisa made the I-130 and some other parts much easier, and for a stupidly low price.  Since Boundless bought them, they don't seem as good on the chat advice.  It feels more like they are just copy and pasting all the answers.  Maybe I'm just conversing with an AI now, I can't actually tell.   But I'd buy the service again just for the headache/stress that it saved me on various parts of the application.  Otherwise I would have had to read the application instructions VERY CAREFULLY and stress out about how to interpret those instructions correctly, without any experience.   Instead I just answered Rapidvisa's questions, and they filled out the form correctly for me.  It was approved in 7 months.  However they made a mistake on the NVC uploads.  They did not upload all of my tax documents correctly, and it cost me 3 months.  But for the price, I can't really complain.  They did give me a lot of good advice.  Just double check everything.   I wish I had found the resource of VJ sooner.  I have gotten a lot of good info here, too. 

You are in the wrong place.  This is a Do-It-Yourself site.  However, I will show you why the CR-1 is vastly superior.
 
Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.
K-1        
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 6-8 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 6-8 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  
CR-1
    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
   

 
 
 
There are hundreds of attorneys who will take your money and give you inaccurate info......

Do you want to stay with the K1 visa process or are you thinking of moving to IR1/CR1. 
 
Quite a few couples changed from K1 to IR1/CR1 because Manila wasn't issuing visas. They went the Utah marriage route and then met up in the Philippines as the USC spouse could obtain a visa as the family member. Some other couples decided to marry before their first in person meeting and then the USC flew to Philippines so they could meet the requirements needed to file the I-130. (Have a read around the Philippines forum to see what different people were doing during the pandemic). 
 
USCIS is currently working on I-129Fs submitted April 2021, so if things remain the same you're looking at a year before you reach NVC. And if Manila doesn't clear the backlog in a year you're looking at another 268 days waiting to interview. (worst case scenario). 
 
Compare that to IR1/CR1 visas based on VJ data.
 
https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op66=All&op7=Philippines&op1=3&op2=&dfile=No&op3=5&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C10%2C11%2C13%2C14%2C15%2C16%2C17%2C18%2C20%2C21%2C22%2C25%2C26%2C27%2C28%2C108%2C110%2C111%2C208%2C210%2C211&cfl=0
 
Last 10 visa interviews range from 211- 1112 days. 
And the 1112 day timeline was an F2A to IR1/CR1 case. 
 
The overview VJ gives a person is extremely helpful. But, I always examine individual timelines as you sometimes discover cases that were either extremely quick or very slow have extenuating circumstances (e.g different consulate, change of immigrant status etc). 
 
Good luck on your journey, I hope you're able to see your partner while you wait out this process. 
 
Someone created a website tracking visas issued out of each consulate.
They state Manila has an 18.8 month backlog for K1s and is 0.5 months ahead of schedule for IR1/CR1.
 
http://visawhen.com/consulates/manila/cr1ir1

As your NOA1 is extremely recent, you should know that Manila is, from what I've seen, currently the worst embassy processing K1s. I am not terribly informed on the state of their backlog, but I would not be surprised if there are thousands of people waiting. Manila was always a busy embassy and they were closed for a very long time; they even closed briefly in January for Omnicron. 
 
I don't like commenting on the differences between K1 and IR1/CR1 because this is a choice ultimately left up to you and your fiancee, but I think the calculus changes somewhat for someone from the Philippines. I'm not entirely sure, but I think the spousal visa may have become quicker due to prioritization at the embassy. I hope a filer from there can answer this question more thoroughly, but it's good that you've seen this information now and are aware of it.  

For sure you should expedite through the NVC.  In my case after being told all documents were completed it sat at NVC stage to send to the Embassy for over 3 months.  I decided to request for it to be expedited and within 4 days of the request it was approved.  A week later it was showing as Ready at the Embassy and I was lucky to be able to secure a visa interview date.  A 6 weeks later my daughters have their IR2 in their hands.  

Well I can't edit my own post, but I'd like to say that that link above is for immigrant visas, and technically the K1 Fiance visa is not an immigrant visa.  It also says that the medical report is good for 6 months.  So that part isn't just purported.   I suppose there may be a similar page on the travel.state.gov site for Fiance visas, but I could not find it, sorry.   However, they do mention K1 in there, so probably this page should cover things.  We can hope. 

Congrats.  Combining your times spent waiting, that is around 5% of a human lifetime.

Why would you be "wary" of antigen tests?  They are not as reliable as PCR, this is true.  But as long as it meets the standards of your airline, and all countries involved, then there should be no problem.  Somehow I doubt an antigen test is good enough.  You should probably get a PCR test to avoid issues, if you have a choice.

Why would you be "wary" of antigen tests?  They are not as reliable as PCR, this is true.  But as long as it meets the standards of your airline, and all countries involved, then there should be no problem.  Somehow I doubt an antigen test is good enough.  You should probably get a PCR test to avoid issues, if you have a choice.

I didn't read everything, but.....  her name change.   I found something out when we went through this recently.   According to Philippine custom, after you are married, your wife is considered to have already taken your name.  Her middle name gets dropped and her maiden name becomes her middle name.  All you have to do is update her passport.  There are no "change of name" forms to fill out, just the form for a new passport.  She takes her marriage certificate and the old passport and maybe supporting documents (check requirements with the DFA) and she applies for a new passport, which is super easy to get in time before the interview.   She can do the same for all her identification cards.
 
Now there is a new option they just started where she CAN keep her maiden name as her legal name, but this is not the custom, and it would be considered abnormal and you'd probably have to jump through some extra hoops to do it, I would guess.  I'm just guessing.  I have no idea.   But what I do know is that I first figured that it would be easier to change her name in Texas than to deal with Philippine bureaucracy, then I found out that it was actually easier in the Philippines because it happens by default. 

Emailing them via their public inquiry form might be more effective than calling their hotline -- https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/
 

To stay there permamently and have the most benefits the srrv is your best choice.  I stayed there awhile and hope to return just not now.
 
Srrv is what banks want to see and ALL they want to see.  Sure you can open an account with a simple tourist visa and card.  But if you want a solid relationship with credit loans investing and strong VERY strong banker ties they want that permanent resident status srrv. 
 
If you want to go a step higher and enter the golden gates of that country then you will need citizenship.  Having us and philippine citizenship would open all doors to you.  Property owenership being the tip of the iceburg.
 
Of course a simple tourist visa is all that you really need to stay at least precovid.  I have no clue anymore if that still stands true.

Hi, I applied for my mother's IR-5 Visa, and I got approved for an expedite. CEAC says it is Ready. I wondered if the embassy drops their schedule slots at a particular time or day, or is it randomly posted? Right now, I don't see any schedules available.

I don't lump all IR visas into on bucket.  2 to 3 month wait before the pandemic was probably the norm for IR1/2.  Having a 1 month expectation during the pandemic is well...,. If you want the real story for Manila, go to the Philippines regional forum where others similarly situated can advise.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding  but we are in the Philippines regional forum, this is where the original thread was posted.  Anyways it seems like the everyone has had a different experience and it changes month to month.  For some it was month, some 3 and some longer.  I'm at 3 months and some are telling me that is longer than most.  I will put in a expediated request since my daughters' living situation was essentially destroyed in Super Typhoon Rai last month. 
 
 
I would personally still expedite.  It is just an email to NVC, it cant hurt and it is easy to draft as long as you include the information they require.   I was originally told it would only take a month to get an interview date and I'm now at 3 months.   In hindsight and also because of the effects of the typhoon I should of expedited sooner.  
 
I would love to see what anyone else has scene with IR1/2.   I know for top_secret they have said it took a month but maybe that is not the norm.   It certainly has not been the case for me.  
 

You don't need the 9a anymore.  You can enter without a visa.  You do need to get vaccinated.  This is much easier than the other options you've been brainstorming about.  Is all of your brainstorming just to avoid the vaccine?  It is a really wimpy/easy vaccine, just get it over with.  Get the Johnson and Johnson 1 shot.  It isn't like you haven't already had 20 different vaccine shots in your life.  You're going to find it difficult to travel within the Philippines or enter certain buildings without a vaccination record.   But if you wait a few months, maybe they'll have stopped caring by then. 

Is it their choice if it is required to travel within the Philippines and also to enter the Philippines?  Doesn't seem like much of a choice to me. 

You don't need the 9a anymore.  You can enter without a visa.  You do need to get vaccinated.  This is much easier than the other options you've been brainstorming about.  Is all of your brainstorming just to avoid the vaccine?  It is a really wimpy/easy vaccine, just get it over with.  Get the Johnson and Johnson 1 shot.  It isn't like you haven't already had 20 different vaccine shots in your life.  You're going to find it difficult to travel within the Philippines or enter certain buildings without a vaccination record.   But if you wait a few months, maybe they'll have stopped caring by then. 

Airline passengers have certain rights with situations beyond their control.  These rights have been beefed up during the pandemic.  I suggest you ask the airline to reschedule, as they will probably be held accountable anyway if they fly you to the USA without an actionable VISA.  They may reschedule the flight for you for at very low cost or no cost.   I would also call the USCIS directly at your intended entry airport and explain the situation to them and see what they say.   They may accept proof that your spouse is in transit to the USA as good enough. 

You don't need the 9a anymore.  You can enter without a visa.  You do need to get vaccinated.  This is much easier than the other options you've been brainstorming about.  Is all of your brainstorming just to avoid the vaccine?  It is a really wimpy/easy vaccine, just get it over with.  Get the Johnson and Johnson 1 shot.  It isn't like you haven't already had 20 different vaccine shots in your life.  You're going to find it difficult to travel within the Philippines or enter certain buildings without a vaccination record.   But if you wait a few months, maybe they'll have stopped caring by then. 

You don't need the 9a anymore.  You can enter without a visa.  You do need to get vaccinated.  This is much easier than the other options you've been brainstorming about.  Is all of your brainstorming just to avoid the vaccine?  It is a really wimpy/easy vaccine, just get it over with.  Get the Johnson and Johnson 1 shot.  It isn't like you haven't already had 20 different vaccine shots in your life.  You're going to find it difficult to travel within the Philippines or enter certain buildings without a vaccination record.   But if you wait a few months, maybe they'll have stopped caring by then. 

You don't need the 9a anymore.  You can enter without a visa.  You do need to get vaccinated.  This is much easier than the other options you've been brainstorming about.  Is all of your brainstorming just to avoid the vaccine?  It is a really wimpy/easy vaccine, just get it over with.  Get the Johnson and Johnson 1 shot.  It isn't like you haven't already had 20 different vaccine shots in your life.  You're going to find it difficult to travel within the Philippines or enter certain buildings without a vaccination record.   But if you wait a few months, maybe they'll have stopped caring by then. 

As far as rights, I was talking about consumer rights as an airline customer.  You can google it.  It helps to know  your rights when you are negotiating with an airline to change your ticket.  https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer
 
As someone else already pointed out, USCIS is not CBP is not ICE, but since I can't delete my post, I guess people will keep correcting me, over and over.
However, USCIS and CBP and ICE are all part of DHS.  So whatever!

Airline passengers have certain rights with situations beyond their control.  These rights have been beefed up during the pandemic.  I suggest you ask the airline to reschedule, as they will probably be held accountable anyway if they fly you to the USA without an actionable VISA.  They may reschedule the flight for you for at very low cost or no cost.   I would also call the USCIS directly at your intended entry airport and explain the situation to them and see what they say.   They may accept proof that your spouse is in transit to the USA as good enough.