Consulate Review: Manila, Philippines
Review Topic: Direct Consular Filing
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
October 15, 2016 |
| Embassy Review : |
Let me just start by saying – if you are living in the Philippines and have the option to do Direct Consular Filing (DCF) – Just do it. It will save you SO MUCH time and hassle. A process that normally takes about 6 months to 1 year usually only takes about 3-5 months when you file via DCF. Why? Because everything is done and submitted in person. You physically go and apply inside the consulate and you give them all your paperwork right then and there. Then you can opt in for electronic communications and they'll e-mail you your Packet 3 and Manila case number in about 2-3 weeks after your initial filing. It's super simple.
The only real requirements that you'll need in order to file via DCF is proof that the U.S. Citizen has lived in the Philippines for at least 1 full year, yet still has ties to the U.S. We submitted our rental agreement and my membership cards from Robinson's Mall and SM and that was actually enough for them. Keep in mind this all can depend on who helps you too, as sometimes, it all depends on their current mood, which is sad & unfortunate. Thankfully we got a very nice and understanding lady.
Once you receive your Packet 3 and have been issued a Manila case number (it will usually start with an MNL followed by about 10 or 11 numbers), you and your significant other are free to start the visa application process as long as all your requirements are complete as per their checklist. Ours weren't at the time they sent it to us, so we didn't end up applying for my husband's visa until about a month later (which still resulted to only a 3 month processing time from start to finish). We had issues with getting him his Philippine passport but that's another story for another time. 
Once our checklist of requirements was complete, we finally were able to apply for his visa via online. It was extremely fast as I actually created our login the day we received his Packet 3 and have pre-filled all that I could with the information I already had at the time, so all that was left to do was to fill in all the blanks and things I missed. I quadruple checked everything too, because I have heard and read that one simple error could lead to a ton of problems and delays, even for DCF – So please save yourself the time and trouble and just check your answers more than once. Once we received notice that they received his visa application, next step was to schedule his medical exam at St. Luke's in Manila.
THANKFULLY, he passed his medical exam the first try and he was good to go for his interview at the consulate. His interview was scheduled about two weeks later and again, thankfully his visa was approved at his interview with no complications or delays. I was able to accompany him at his interview too, which was a plus.
All in all, DCF is definitely the way to go if you have that option. My husband was issued a CR-1 Visa about two weeks after he passed his interview. |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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ver 5.0