Monday, January 29, 2007

episode 109: Med Exam & Visa Interview Schedule

01.27.2007 - I received a package from the U.S. Embassy containing the schedule for my Medical Exam and Visa Interview. The letter was dated 01.19.2007. It says that my Medical Exam appointment is on 03.22.2007 at 7AM and my Visa Interview appointment is on 03.29.2007 at 7AM. My case# (for my refence only) is MNL2006825040. The Medical Exam will cost $95 while the Visa Processing will cost $100.

The package also contains:
a. Final list of documents you need to bring for the visa interview for K1/K2 applicants. There are a couple of additional requirements on this list that was not listed on the earlier list like CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage), Proof of Genuine Engagement, Proof of Termination of Marraige (for you and your petitioner) etc.
b. Medical Examination Instructions for Immigrant, K and V Visa Applicants.
c. Vaccination Requirements for K Visa Applicants. It is not required for K1/K2 Visa Applicants to get the vaccination before entering U.S. But once you file for change of status from a non-immigrant to a permanent resident (green card holder), USCIS will require you to comply with the vaccination requirement before they finalize the adjustment of your status in the U.S. A decision to grant a waiver of the vaccination requirement will only be made at the time an adjustment of status is filed and reviewed by the USCIS.
d. DS-156 Non-immigrant Visa Application forms.
e. DS-157 Supplemental Non-immigrant Visa Application forms.
f. DS-156K Non-immigrant Fiance Visa Application forms.

My heart was palpitating real fast while I was opening the package and reading the contents. I guess it's a mix of excitement and a realization that we are actually going through this process of making everything final. Part of me was a bit scared too. What if we get denied the visa? Then what? But I can't think of any solid reason why they might deny us the visa. So I guess I'll just have to be confident during the interview. Thank God that I have already experienced the process of getting a U.S. Tourist Visa thrice before. I think I would be more nervous if this is going to be the first time I'd enter the U.S. Embassy and line up for an interview while watching some of the people before me get denied.

posted by Reesh @ 2:04 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

episode 108: K1/K3 Pre-Interview Notice

01.08.2007 - I found a letter from the Consular Section of the Immigrant Visa Unit of the American Embassy Manila. My landlady must have slid it under my door when she found out that I have already returned from my 2.5 weeks long Xmas vacation. The stamp on the envelope said that the Makati Post Office received it on 12.15.2006. So I guess it took them a couple of days to finally deliver the letter to my address because I still have not received it before I left for my vacation last 12.20.2006.

The letter inside is a K1/K3 Pre-Interview Notice dated 11.28.2006. It says that on 11.24.2006, they received our approved I-129F nonimmigrant visa petition from the National Visa Center (NVC) according to my status as the fiance (K1) or spouse (K3) of a US citizen. Further action on my case awaits assignments of an interview date. Because of their heavy volume of K1/K3 visa applications, the waiting time for a visa interview at present is approximately 150 days from the date that they've receive the petition in Manila. They will inform me of the interview date as soon as it is scheduled. They will send me an appointment packet with information and instructions to apply for a visa about 30 days before the scheduled interview. In the meantime, I can now begin preparing for my visa interview. Enclosed to the letter is another page listing all the documents required in support of my visa application. I should obtain all of the items that apply to me. It also says that these documents should NOT be sent to the embassy. I will be bringing the documents only when a visa interview appointment has been scheduled. Other additional information on "K" nonimmigrant visas is available at http://philippines.usembassy.gov. For my record only, my case number is MNL2006825040.


The list of required documents on the second page are the following:

+ PASSPORT - must be valid for at least six (6) months.
+ BIRTH CERTIFICATE - issued by National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper.
+ MARRIAGE AND TERMINATION OF MARRIAGE RECORDS - if applicable.
+ NBI CLEARANCE - obtain an official letter of explanation from the NBI if the clearance has any of the following notations: "No Criminal Report," "No Criminal Conviction," "No Pending Case," or "With Derogatory Report."
+ OTHER COUNTRY POLICE CERTIFICATE - if you previously resided abroad for 6 months or longer since your 16th birthday.
+ COURT RECORDS - if you have been charged of any crime.
+ For K1 Applicants, EVIDENCE OF PERSONAL MEETING WITH THE PETITIONER - present proof that you and the petitioner have personally met within two years before the petition was filed. Photos of you and the petitioner together during the specified time may serve as evidence of this requirement.
+ EVIDENCE OF A BONA FIDE RELATIONSHIP - present proof that your relationship with the petitioner is in good faith, and not merely as an immigration convenience. Evidence include, but is not limited to, photos, letters/emails, and proof of financial support.
+ VISA PHOTOS - obtain two (2) photos of yourself with the following specifications: 2 inches by 2 inches in size, must show full view of the face, colored with white background.
+ EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT - obtain evidence which will show that you are not likely to become a public charge while in the United States. A completed I-134 Affidavit of Support Form (singed and notarized less than one year prior to visa application) from the petitioner, including his/her most recent US Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040), Wage & Tax Statements (Form W-2), employment certificate stating income and bank statements will be useful to evaluate your petitioner's ability to be financially responsible for you.
+ MEDICAL EXAMINATION - the embassy will provide you details about the required medical examination once an appointment for your visa interview has been scheduled.

posted by Reesh @ 3:11 PM 0 comments