My K1 visa processing
By Gladys Erhardt on Mar 19, 2007 in Uncategorized
My medical and interview appointment with the US Embassy in Manila is already posted. We’ve been waiting this schedule for over a month and thank God, it’s already posted.
As I said in my previous posts, Carlo and I started our paperworks way back October of last year. We are on a K1 route since I am on fiancee visa. It took us 2 weeks (after we sent the papers to USCIS) to get our NOA1 (Notice of Action 1 -notice from USCIS that they receive the petition) and had known our receipt number. This receipt number serves as our tracking number, to track the progress of the petition (usually starts with WAC with a number combination).
It took us 3 months to get the approval of the petition; the NOA2. USCIS sent Carlo an email about the approval and after a week, he received the hard copy of the approval. Upon receiving the approval, USCIS at this time also sent the approved petition to the NVC (National Visa Center) for the issuance of Manila Case Number. We waited for 2 weeks before Carlo called the NVC for our case number. Manila Case number served as the guide to know our appointment dates (medical and interview).
And they gave him our case number. Since we already knew the website on where to check the posted schedules, we everyday check our status.
It took us a month again before our schedule was posted. I know, the wait is killing us both, but then what can we do.
In between the waiting period, we started gathering the documents needed for my upcoming medical and interview. 2 weeks before my medical and interview dates were posted, we’ve already completed and gathered the needed documents.
Hurrayyyy..we’re just waiting for my medical and interview dates to come and I have a month and a half to prepare myself.
Here’s my timeline:
16 Oct 06 - submitted the petition
05 Nov 06 - NOA1 (issued receipt number)
16 Jan 07 - NOA2 (Approval of the petition)
06 Feb 07 - Petition sent to Manila USE (issued case number)
15 March 07 - Medical/Interview dates posted on the website
last week of April 07 - Medical at St. Lukes
First week of May 07 - Interview at Manila USE
There is one important lesson I’ve learned with our visa processing time, “patience is really a virtue”.
It’s easy to say “yes i can wait” but as times go by, its so hard to hold on with that phrase. If you’re familiar with the line “HURRY UP AND WAIT”, that’s how it is when you’re doing the paperworks. One thing I can advise though, inorder to minimize delays during the visa processing, supply them (the USCIS) with a well arranged and complete papers, surely, RFE’s (Request For Evidence) will be avoided.
That is how Carlo and I did our visa paperworks. It’s not yet done but we’re almost there….
Hello and welcome to my blog! Let me introduce myself first, I am Gladys Muana Erhardt. Born and raised in the Philippines and is now living in the US with a wonderful husband.
Welll you are almost there.. patience hehehe.
tina | Mar 19, 2007 | Reply
Hi Angel,
yeah..we’re almost there. “Patience” –really a virtue.
But you bet I have it.
Thanks Angel.
Gladys Muana | Mar 20, 2007 | Reply
hello
I found your blog while searching for waiting time s for visa’s. My fiancee is also from Davao and we are going through the wait now. We recieved the NOA1 in Jan. so it looks like we are about two months behind you. I have not yet received the NOA2, but hopefully I will before long. My question is once we receive the approval and it is sent to Manila where can we find the status on her appointments?
Good luck to you and Carlo. By the way I also read your bosses’ site and have gotten some good info.
Thank you,
Steve
Steve | Apr 1, 2007 | Reply
Hi Steve,
Here’s the link on where to check the appointment status:
http://203.177.135.10/ivappointment/login.asp
Hope that helps. And I’m glad you found our blogs helpful :-). If you have more questions, I’m glad to be of help.
Gladys
Gladys Muana | Apr 2, 2007 | Reply
Hi Glad,
You’re right,it takes patience in everything we do.
What part of states are you gonna be going?
I wish sa East Coast,so that I can see you.he..he.
Anyway,Good luck.
Jun P.
Jun P | Apr 8, 2007 | Reply
Hi Jun,
Thanks. Hindi ako sa east coast eh..
Gladys
Gladys Muana | Apr 9, 2007 | Reply
Hi Glad,
Sayang,But knowing na andito ka sa states-Happy
na ako..Who knows,one day I’ll be knocking at
your door.
Jun P. | Apr 11, 2007 | Reply
hi jun,
i and carlo will be glad to be ur friend.
thanks for dropping by.
gladys
Gladys Muana | Apr 12, 2007 | Reply
Hi Glad,
Why not?Its an honor.
Jun P. | Apr 14, 2007 | Reply
Hello people. I have a question for those who’ve gotten their k1 visa already. How long did it take you before you folks received your visa after the interview?
jamz | Apr 17, 2007 | Reply
Hi Jamz,
base on the research i’ve made, it usually varies from 3 days to 15 days..3 days if picked up at the embassy and then 15 days at the most if its delivered in the province.
Gladys
Gladys Muana | Apr 17, 2007 | Reply
hi my fiancee had her interview on october 26, 2007 we have not heard anything yet. Is that bad news? should we have gotten her visa already? she lives outside Vigan city, way to the north. a guy told her she was approved at the embassy so i bought her a ticket for december 18, i think i am screwed now.
morris | Nov 17, 2007 | Reply
thanks for the advice. I am so worried but i guess they tolder to pay for visa delivery
morris | Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
do you have other site dan the website that u have given?
leslie | Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
Hi Leslie,
What website is it that you want?
Gladys Erhardt | Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
i was looking for the website where i can look for the case number of my mother. when i got the pitision of my father for us we have the website where we can look for our appointment and it was really a long list. and now i already forgot that website, thant’s why i’m asking if you still have other website than the website that you have given to your friend in this comment portion
leslie | Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
what is the IV case number is it the same with NVC case number?
leslie | Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
Hi Leslie,
Sorry but the only website I knew is for the fiancee visa.. but try checking http://www.uscis.gov. That’s the website for US visa information.
Gladys Erhardt | Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
i want to know if the NVC case number is the same with the IV case number?
isloy | Mar 30, 2008 | Reply
hi glad,
what website i can track my medical and interview schedule? I have already my case number.. tnx
evelyn | Mar 31, 2008 | Reply
Hi, I stumbled on your website as I was looking for other information about the K1 visa. I’m on the k1 visa myself,I have already received my NOA2 and I am waiting for my embassy interview and medical exam schedule. I’m wondering, it has been close to 3 weeks now since we have received our NOA2,should we call the NVC now and check our schedule? What website can I go to so I could check also the schedules posted? Thank you so much. You are right, it is easy to just say that you can wait, but the actual waiting is really hard.
beauty2783 | Apr 2, 2008 | Reply
HI beauty I have the same case with you. I have my case number but I cant check it online. Before the petition was approved, I check my case at USCIS website now that its in Manila I dont know what website to go that posted schedules. Its been 3 weeks now of waiting.
gerlyn | Apr 2, 2008 | Reply
Hi Beauty,
Once you know your manila case number, you can track your medical and interview appointment online. As I always said, the timeline varies. Sometimes it takes a week, sometimes weeks..and I have no idea why.
Calling the NVC would be a good idea, that’s when I first learned my manila case number.
Gladys Erhardt | Apr 2, 2008 | Reply
Hi Evelyn,
Here’s the link where you can track your medical and interview online (US visa purposes):
http://203.177.135.10/ivappointment/login.asp
Gladys Erhardt | Apr 2, 2008 | Reply
hi isloy,
I don’t know what is the IV case number..anyway, manila case number usually starts with mnl then followed by a series of numbers.
Gladys Erhardt | Apr 2, 2008 | Reply
i have a similar case… i have a K3 and IR1 pending, the I-130 and the I129F was approved march 11, 2008. haven’t received any packet from the NVC. Did you call NVC prior to your receipt of packet? I want to know if my manila case number is now available. thanks.
ARLENE TITULAR | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
hey arlene they have a new procedure now u need to call the number they give to you in the notice to set an appointment with them
gerlyn | Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
i will have my interview at the embassy on May 12, 2008. who has the same schedule here?
gerlyn | Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
Hi Arlene,
Yeah, I let my husband (then fiance) called NVC and that was the time that we found out our case number. I was impatient on that time so I let him call..it was a good call though coz we were then able to get our manila case number.
Gladys Erhardt | Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Hi,
I currently have a K1 in process at Manila US Embassy, here is our timeline, if you have questions feel free to post, I feel like a K1 Attorney after all we have been through.
Submitted Petition to USCIS : June 15th 2007
Received NOA from NVC on October 17th 2007
St Lukes Date: Feb. 26th 2008
Interview: March 4th 2008
The medical exam and interview was successful, we are still waiting for the visa to be delivered, we were told usually 3 weeks, it has now been over 8 weeks.
I havent seen my finacee since I left Manila last April 16th on 2007.
Tim | May 2, 2008 | Reply
your MNL case number should be on the I-767 NOA form, once the NVC sends the package to USE in Manila you should also receive a letter from them with the MNL number, the notice that they send telling they are prepared to complete final processing.
Tim | May 2, 2008 | Reply
Hi Tim and Gladys.
I just had my Interview yesterday but the consul didn’t said that I was approved, he just told me that I should wait for my name to be called so that they can give me the next step/s.
Then I was called that they gave me a paper where under the “What to do next:” area, they put document verification and they put a check mark for “WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR FROM US: We must review our case before it can be processed further. Please wait for a letter from us telling you when you can return to the Embassy with the documents marked aboved for another appointment.” But there is nothing marked above on the list of documents so I may say, they don’t need any documents from me and they’ll just verify my documents, right???
To Gladys,
What would that mean Glad?
To Tim,
Did your fiancee received the same sheet of paper as mine? Did she pay for document verification? Did they tell her exactly that her documents need to be verified? Coz in my case, I already paid for it about 3 weeks before my Interview and sent a message to Delbros as what the instructions on their website has. I also gave the Embassy the receipt from the bank when I paid it.
jona | May 7, 2008 | Reply
I had my interview last May 12, 2008 and I get approved…
belle | May 14, 2008 | Reply
hi gladys i had my interview and given a 221g without any documents ask and check on the we must review ur case before it can be processed further and paid my delbros delivery visa. any idea what is mean by this? Am i denied?
anna | May 22, 2008 | Reply
hi jona, we have the same case… any news about your case now? i wanna coomunicate to u whats ur ym?
anna | May 23, 2008 | Reply
What do they ask you at the interview, also what do you need to bring in the interview. how long is the interview.
jay | Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
Hiiiiii!
Well, toady we received yet another medical delay from St. Lukes, and so I am here… searching the interNET to see how it is that people who love each other are kept apart by governments… and then I found this blog!
I am grateful just to see the stories of others…
Anna Liza and I were Married in Cebu June 2, 2007. Our application rec’vd by USCIS on Aug 10, 2007. Her interview in Manila was set for May 15th, 2008 - but st. Lukes says her chest x-ray shows a concern of TB. So they took a sputum sample and said that we could check back in 8 more weeks for the results of the culture.
Today was 8 weeks. Actually, 9 weeks, but they said to allow 1 more week for processing of the paperwork for the result of the culture test.
So… today is 9 weeks and we called - we were told that ’something’ is growing in the culture - but nothing specific, and again - another 2 weeks delay. We can call back on the 25th of July, 2008 to see if she can proceed to the interview or???
In the meantime, st Lukes will NOT allow my doctors to have access to the medical records, also - the embassy will NOT allow any other doctor to provide treatment if needed.
Anna Liza has no symptoms of TB, yet - regardless of the visa process, I have sent her to a private clinic for a second culture to be performed - simply so I can know her health status from a medical doctor who will be honest with us.
I guess I am just blabbing.
Anna Liza is at this moment going to the private doctor to get the culture started.
patience? what else can we do? Spiritually speaking however - no one can keep us apart…
I have heard that many people get delays such as this one, so… I just am not sure about it at all…
In any case, I am soo grateful to hear other peoples stories.
Take care everyone,
Rodney and Anna Liza
Rodney And Anna Liza | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
To those who are searching for latest information about K1 Visa. Visit this site –> http://simplegirl82986.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/us-k1-visa-information/
I post a blog about the process of application for K1. My visa was recently approved.
lydia | Mar 10, 2009 | Reply
Hi there!
Can you also share your timeline with your K! visa?
I hope you can help me out.
Thanks!
Jennifer | May 7, 2009 | Reply
Hi lydia!
I hope I can chat with you.. maybe you can give me some pointers for K1 visa.
Thanks
Jennifer | May 7, 2009 | Reply
My fiancee had her K-1 visa interview on April 27 and she was approved by the consular officer with no problems at all. She paid the Air 21 fee for the visa/passport delivery charge (she lives in Manila), but 4 weeks later she still hasn’t received anything—nor does Air 21 even have a tracking number for her. Since we didn’t have the documents pre-verified before the interview, I’m just wondering how long it’s gonna take for her passport/visa to arrive. Any ideas?
Dave | May 24, 2009 | Reply
Hi Dave,
During my time (2 years ago) the courier used by Manila embassy was called DELBROS and Delbros gave me receipt and tracking number on that time so I have no idea about air21 courier.
Yet, I guess the best thing to do is to try and call the embassy. This is the website where you can try to contact them:
http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhcont.html
Or else
try to track your case, you can do that on this link:
http://203.177.135.10/ivappointment/login.asp OR go to USCIS website and track it from there. My husband ~then fiance, signed up an account from uscis website and the progress of our visa was documented on that website.
This is just to re-verify the recent status of your visa, that way when you call them; you can give them the latest info right away.
And on your other question, your fiancee’s visa should have arrived weeks ago especially that she lived on Manila. I had a friend who was also processing her visa same time with me (she also passed) and she was in Manila, she received her visa after a week. Mine was 2 weeks since I live Mindanao (southern part of the Philippines).
Anyway, just try to give them a call and see what’s going on. I hope that helps.
Gladys
Gladys Erhardt | May 24, 2009 | Reply
Hi,
It is nice to have this website, I am applying for a K1 visa and my partner didn’t met the new required poverty guidelines. Our immigration counselor told him to find a co-sponsor to help us out. But I have read in some websites that US consulate in Manila, doesn’t allow any co-sponsors.
Does anybody here, have this issue before. Please do enlighten me with this.
Thank you
Febie
Febie | May 25, 2009 | Reply
Hi Febie,
Of course your fiance can get a co-sponsor, I had some friends that has co-sponsor and they were fine. Mostly, it is the parents that co-sponsor the applicants..
Gladys | May 25, 2009 | Reply
I called the embassy call center today to ask but they said they are not allowing co-sponsor for a fiancee visa, unlike other visa that was applied such as spousal that will be allowed.
I will have my interview on the 8th of June. Yes, we do have a co-sponsor but the US consulate in Manila, Thailand and one other country in Asia is not allowing a co-sponsor for the below poverty threshold petitioner.
This is very frustrating we are together for over 3 long years with my partner fiance, we persevere in all of the trials of following the right way, the burdens of my annulment process on how our lawyer screwed-up and delayed everything. On how big of the money he get from us. My partner got fired from work for dealing with their women who are very feminist thinking that he is a chauvinist. I quit working and tend my kids becoz of family problems (my parents), my drug addict ex-husband is threatening them.
I love my partner for life but it seems this is the end of everything of what we have started. My heart turned black by this time, I felt so so so numb. I cannot understand how could love stand in such a tidal wave of the sea.
If there are other enlightenment that people can share regarding my case, pls do drop a comment of help. We need all of your prayers in this.
Febie
Febie | May 25, 2009 | Reply
hi there,
Good day to you guys. I need some infos and I find your website helpful. Thanks a lot that someone takes time and effort to have such. Me and my boyfriend is planning to get married in the US so we have to go through the fiancee visa, right? He got married to a filipina on ‘07 but evrything did’nt work out. we have met each other and now planning to get married. But we don’t want to throw money on the annulment. So we decided to just have the fiancee visa processing since he never petitioned his wife in the US and none of his documents in the states that he put a status married. So we assumed that he will be free to legally marry in the states.
Anybody here can get me enlighten a little bit about this subject please? I will be greatful to hear from you. Thanks.
Chris | Jul 2, 2009 | Reply
hello! i was looking for some information with regards to my fiance visa and thats why I’m here typing u a comment, My case status is already approved by the USCIS and forwarded to NVC, My fiance called NVC last monday and they informed Him that our case was forwarded already to the US Embassy here in manila last october 2nd, 2009, and we waited for a week and they gave us the MANILA case number but we havent recieved any letter or hard copy from NVD with that manila case number they only gave us that number when my fiance gave them a call, can you explain to me further if do we really need to receive that letter from NVC stating case number? hope to hear from you, I’m ilongga and I’m from Negros Occidental, GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS,,,
God HAs a plan for us, Plan to prosper us and not to harm us, plan to give us Hop
april | Oct 13, 2009 | Reply
hope and a future…
april | Oct 13, 2009 | Reply