DavenRoxy

Our case has moved from the US to MNL. I never received an email that it went from CA to the NVC, but my sister got a letter stating it got to NVC late Jan (I am deployed in Afghanistan, so mail was going to her). I emailed and called the NVC, found out that it left NVC for MNL on 5 Feb. Never got a letter or email stating that. Never got a DHL confirmation letter, either. So we are still waiting on my fiance to get a letter from the embassy, but have hit a wall, it seems. See on the forums here that people in the PI whose packet left NVC after ours already have received notice from the USEM, some have medicals already, some have interviews scheduled.

I tried calling the US number for inquiries, get a little bit of a run around, and they tell me to email IVManilareplies@state.gov. Did that twice already, it's been a week, and all I received was an automated reply referring me to the MNL embassy website. The kind Filipina who I talked to basically said she can't help me, they can't talk about specific cases, just give general info.

I know delays happen, but I feel as if something is wrong since my sister never received a DHL confirmation, and my fiance has yet to hear from the embassy. Any ideas on what to do from here? How do we get the ball rolling again?

Thanks for any ideas,

Dave

I know this is totally off topic for VJ, but I was in Thailand last year, and fell in love with Traa Muaa tea, and was trying to see if there is anyone here who can mail me some via APO free mail. If you know what I am talking about, feel free to message me.

Thanks!

Congrats! I know it's been a long time, as for us, but the slooowwwww wheels of government are actually in motion, though sometimes it seems they move not.

At least you got an email... I was signed up for both email and text notification, but ours came via snail mail about 10 days after being sent to the NVC. Still not sure why I didn't get an email or a text. Oh well.

Now we are waiting on the Philippine Embassy to contact my fiance'. Another country's process to deal with. Hay naku!!

Once my fiance is approved by the Manila Embassy to come over to the USA, what is the timeframe within which she must fly?

Oops, I failed to mention that she is already IN Korea, that is where they met. She is there on a work visa now.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a DCF? Direct Consulate Filing? If so, that is what I was thinking. Just not sure if it is faster to do a K1 or K3 while he is stationed there.

Have them contact JAG office they have a special program to fast track and assist with applications of soldiers who are deployed.

Thanks, but Korea is not a deployment, and I am fairly certain JAG cannot help them obtain a visa. They DO have packets to help for getting married overseas, however. In Korea, they can process a packet thru the command in about two weeks to get married. But then they are on their own for the Visa.

Thanks!

I have a friend who is US Army stationed in Korea, and his fiance is from the Philippines. They are trying to decide whether to file for a K1 or get married and do a K3. Any idea which is better/faster for them? They are not on the forums, so I am asking for them.

Thanks!

Thanks, Dodi, I wasn't aware of the "Portal" portion of the site. I'll check it out!

Not saying I did it right or anything, but our packet was about 10 pages total. We included passport stamps, pics of us together when we were in Korea together for a few months and again in the Philippines for a week. We didn't include any emails or chats. So I guess in a few months, I can report back to you whether it was enough or not.

You need original signatures. And yes, I agree with signing it in a blue pen. Thats what we did. But I made an original letter of intent.

Is the "original signature" thing really such a big issue now? I remeber reading on the USCIS site that notarized copies are no longer necessary, regular photocpies are fine. Seems to me that this would apply to this situation, too. Not sure, just asking.

While my Filipina fiance and I are waiting for NOA2, what sort of things can we be getting together? I know I have to do a I-134 proof of fininacial support, and she has to attend CFO seminars... can she do this at any time before her NOA2 and interview, or does it have to be accomplished within a certain time frame? From what I understand, some things have to be done at certain times, or within certain time limits.

Just want to know what to do while we wait. And wait. And wait. LOL. I feel for those who have been doing this for months, or even years. How frustrating to do things right, legally, all the while knowing that SO MANY people enter the US illegally each day. But that is a different topic for another day, eh?

So what can we do to prepare for step 2, prior to the interview?

Thanks!

There is no minimum time to file. Just need proof of a relationship, and as stated above, that takes a little time and effort to prove.

How do you know that it wasn't received in Texas?

Timeframe. No way I mailed it on the 19th (Thursday, and the USPS told me it would arrive on Monday the 23rd at the earliest), with the check clearing my bank on the 24th, and have time to go from AR to CA to TX.

Don't get too excited. NOA1's usually arrive right away. I was really happy as well, but since then I haven't had so much as a touch in over two months.

Don't pop my bubble, Gap1, shame on you!! LOL, just kidding. I know, I know, I know you are right.... but it's nice to see that it didn't just sit unopened on someone's desk, as I know many on VJ have had happen to them before. Or the packet getting "lost" before it even got "touched". Still plenty of time for someone to ignore it now, of course. Now to call them and let them know I am deploying soon, hopefully they will expedite.

Yay! If you would like to know when your petition gets "touched" you can sign up for case status updates at the USCIS website. Good luck in your journey!

Oh, trust me, I did that already! "Touched" yesterday, 9/1/2010. Whatever that really means. I am just glad it got started so fast. Now that I have a case #, I will call the military hotline and let them know I am deploying soon, hopefully that will qualify for an expedite.

GREAT NEWS!! I mailed the I-129F packet on 19 Aug, it was received 23 Aug, and a NOA1 was mailed to me on 26 Aug. Looks like they DON'T send it to TX if you accidentally mail it to CA.

And I have seen where several folks wait 30 days for NOA1, so I am pretty happy. Checking the USCIS site, it is in "Initial Review" status. Hopefully things will continue to move forward for us. Ahhh, the joys of waiting on government, eh?

Note to OP:

Dallas is a mail intake center only.... they then forward to the correct service center (ie. VSC or CSC)

So I sent it to CA, only to have it forwarded to TX, only to have it sent BACK to CA? Government efficiency, eh? LOL

Note to the admins:

You might want to update the Timeline input section to reflect the new center as Dallas, TX. Soon, we will not be able to submit to CSC or VSC anyway.

Thanks, Jack. I have never even heard of that site, good info. I wonder why the USCIS couldn't have posted that info on their site where they show the new mailing addresses?

Ok, so I was all over the USCIS site, reading and getting forms, in June and July. I filed in August using the Feb 2010 form and instructions, and the address to send the packet was in Laguna Niguel, CA, and it arrived 24 Aug. Today, I see that there is a new I-129F form and instructions (Jun 2010), and it was posted 8/03/10, and the mailing location is now Dallas, TX.

So what do I do now? Will the packet get forwarded to TX automatically? Be returned to me? Should I file a copy packet to Dallas, or wait? FOr sure, I will call USCIS tomorrow morning (Tues, 31 Aug)