K1 Visa Process: Medical Examination at St. Lukes Extension Clinic-Manila

So, the status of our case was updated to "Ready" June 28, 2018, so I decided to do my medical examination by July 5 & 6.

For some people, they wanted to wait for the physical copy of their letter from NVC and/ eligibility letter from the US Embassy before proceeding to anything, but most people in the Facebook group that I belong to, with people processing K1 visa, they said as soon as the status gets "ready" you can already start with your medical examination.

Before proceeding to St.  Lukes,  I pre-registered online first.  Remember,  medical examination is still a first come,  first serve basis.  Pre-registration is for you to save time filling out the form when you get there.

St.  Luke's Extension Clinic's website is http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

Their physical address is at: 1177 J.  Bacobo St.  Ermita Manila.


Effective October 1, 2017, St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLEC), the Embassy's accredited panel physician, will begin charging a new medical examination fee:

17,025.00 PHP for adult immigrant visa applicants ages 15 and above
and
9,583.00 PHP for children ages 14 and below.

The requirements I brought with me are:

1. Filled out registration form
2. Payment- they only accept cash payment
3. 4 pcs.  of 2x2 picture. Write your full name at the back
4. Passport
5. Photocopy of passport biopage
6. Ballpen
7. Screenshot of NVC status "ready"- in my case,  since I haven't received my NVC letter and eligibility letter yet,  I printed out the ready status,  because of this,  they made me sign a waiver that says I am willing to proceed with my medical exam without the NVC letter,  and that I am sure that my NVC number was correct.  If you will do the same,  make sure your NVC number is indeed correct.

So,  my chosen date to do my medical exam is July 5 & 6. That is Thursday and Friday.  Since I lived in Antipolo,  Rizal,  and I don't want to hassle or stress myself out from the long commute,  I decided to just book a room to a nearby hotel,  and checked in From July 4-5. I booked at Hotel Soriente where it is 2000 peso+ per night (couldn't remember the exact amount)  Hotel Soriente is literally few steps away from SLEC. 

Morning of July 5, left the hotel few mins.  before 6am.  When I got there,  only few people outside were in line.  Mostly were already inside.  

You will hand all your requirements to the guard on duty,  he will check them,  and give you a number.  You will then wait at the reception. When your number is called,  go to the corresponding window that called your number. 

The lady who got my requirements asked me if I don't have the NVC letter or eligibility letter yet.  I said I don't have any of them yet.  She asked if I am sure that the NVC number printed on my screenshot is really ours,  and is correct,  so I said yes.  I was confident about it because when I called NVC,  I repeated it to the guy I talked to.  Anyway,  she asked me to sign a waiver, took a photo of me and finger scanning.  Then after that,  she asked me to proceed at the cashier to pay.

After paying,  the personnel at the cashier will ask you to go somewhere to begin the medical exam.  Well,  I said "somewhere" because it will be different for each person,  as they try to distribute the people on each section/ floors equally so that it won't be crowded.

I can no longer remember the sequence of the medical exam on which comes first.  The only tip I can give you is always listen.  Listen where they will ask you to go,  and listen for your name to be called.

When you reach the x-ray test,  remember to breathe deeply before releasing.  This is one of the things I feared ( aside from all the needles)  because they said that sometimes,  even though you don't have a history of TB or any ailments which involve the lungs,  if they see even a small spot,  they will let you undergo a sputum exam,  which will delay your visa process because you need to wait for 2 months for the process to be done.

Other tests are physical test ( urine and blood sample),  immunization interview, etc.

I finished the exam on the first day at around 11 am.  The lady at the reception then told me to go back the following day at 9am "for immunization" usually,  they won't say this.  They will just ask you to go back for the result (either immunization or for sputum)  that's why when I heard her say for immunization,  natuwa ako ng bonga.  Hahaha.

I went back at 7:45 the following day.  Excited lang.  Haha.  Eventhough 9 am pa ang sinabi sa akin,  they will still entertain you.  So I advise you to just do the same to finish early.  So I showed my receipt sa guard,  then tinatakan nya ng for immunization.  So I proceed to the 2nd floor,  gave my receipt sa reception dun,  and waited for my name to be called.

The person who will give the immunization called our name by batch.  I received 4 freakin shot.  (Flu, mumps, chicken pox and anti TB) Pero I keep on telling myself,  4 injections are still better than sputum.

After ng immunization, proceed ka na sa 1st floor to wait for the result. When they give you the result, they will explain to you alin any dadalhin sa interview, at alin any dadalhin dito sa US. After nun, I went back to the hotel, with a big smile on my face, and a grateful heart to the Lord.

Our K1 Francee Visa Process(From Philippines to U. S. A

Yesterday is my first month here in the U.S and this is a long overdue post about our K1 / fiance visa process. Just sharing this in case you, or someone you know is interested on filling this kind of petition.

While you and your fiance are still on cloud 9 about "the proposal" you should now consider gathering all the necessary documents and forms needed to file the petition.

November 6, 2017- Bob, my fiance from the US sent our visa packet to USCIS. Make sure that in this packet, you will send all the necessary documents for a quicker approval. If the documents your American Citizen fiance sent is incomplete, you will receive an RFE (Request for Evidence) which will lead to slower approval/update.

Here are the documents/ requirements that we sent:

1. Filled up Form I-129F, and form G-1145. You can download/print both of them here: USCIS Forms
2. Cover letter. You can find sample of this online.
3. $535 check for filling fee
4. Petitioner's birth certificate (as proof of his Citizenship)
5. Petitioner's and beneficiary's letter of intent to marry. (Sample online)
6. Beneficiary's passport biopage
7. Petitioner's and beneficiary's 2x2 US passport photo
8. Divorce decree for all the past marriages of the petitioner.
9. Proof of having met in person- photos, photos with beneficiary's family, boarding pass, hotel bookings, gifts, restaurant invoices, etc.
10. Emails, chatlogs- we already included this in the packet, but some people just bring it upon interview
11. ** If the petitioner has previous case/convictions, Certified copies of police & court convictions, in compliance with IMBRA (we didn't send this one because it is not applicable in our case)

Use fastener that can easily be detached and DO NOT use binders that are hard to detach in putting these all together. And put a label at the bottom so that they can easily locate the papers.

Send the packet to:

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

P.O. Box 660151

Dallas, TX 75266

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: I-129F

2501 South State Highway 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

This is our packet

Few days after sending our packet, my fiance received the NOA1 (Notice of Action 1) through email. This notice is just a notice to let you know they have received the packet.

After this, comes the waiting game. Before, it usually takes 4- 6 months before the petitioner hears an update (approval/ RFE or denial) but now, it usually take 6-9 months already. Our approval took us almost 7 months.

BTW, you can track the progress of your case, by downloading a USCIS app or directly through their website.

Here is how I track ours through the app:

After 200+ days of waiting, our case was approved on May 31st 2018. (yaaaay, finaaaallly!!!!) It was approved without RFE, the help of a lawyer or agency!

 I just knew about it when I checked the app and it says in the case detail that our case was approved last May 31, though I checked the app June 2 already. 

At this stage, your fiance must then receive the NOA2 (Notice of Action 2) It is both an email and a hard copy stating the case was approved. I also started to gather the documents needed for the interview at this stage, like birth certificate, my CENOMAR and NBI clearance. The most recent copy you have during the interview, the better.

After NOA2 (case approved) wait for 10-15 business days and you can start calling the National Visa Center for your Manila Case Number. 

• NVC contact number is (603) 334-0700 you can call them Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. EST to 12:00 midnight EST. You need to prepare the petitioner's and beneficiary's full name and birthdate, Receipt #: starts with WAC1234567890 and the date of approval. Since my fiance is travelling cross country during this time, I called the NVC myself, for free, by downloading hangouts dialler on google play app store.

If you got the case number which starts with MNL followed by 10 digit numbers. You can check it at: ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx Click immigrant and enter the case number. 

After checking your status. Make sure the status of your visa is: 

• AT NVC - meaning your case still sitting at their office 

• IN TRANSIT - meaning your case is on the way to United States Embassy in the PH 

• READY - your case is already received and ready for interview at USEM. 

You can start paying your visa fee at Bank of the Philippine Islands when the status says "READY".

Bring your printed MRV Slip together with your passport and money. 

Print your MRV Slip: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/pmisdepositslip.htm?amount=265&country=philippines  

Visa Fee is $265 converted in to Philippines Peso. Cut off of payments is 2PM (PH Time) Wait for 4-6hrs to validate your receipt. Sometimes it takes longer, just be patient. 

While waiting for you interview you can can accomplish the DS160 here: https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx . DS160 is an online form that you should fill up before the interview date. Print the page that contains the barcode and BRING it on your interview.

Schedule your interview here: https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/ ( I will be posting a separate article regarding my Philippine U.S Embassy interview)

If you are done scheduling your interview you can pre- register your medical at: http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/  Medical fee will be in PESO – Cash. You should pass the medical examination first before the interview because you will need to bring the medical result at your interview. Make sure to schedule your medical at least 2 weeks before the interview date. ( I will be posting a separate article regarding my experience in my medical exam)

Finally, before you leave, you should attend a GCP Seminar at a CFO office near you. For your CFO Seminar set your appointment at: http://gcp-appointment.cfo.gov.ph/ remember that no more walk in allowed at CFO. Remember to be at your chosen CFO center at least 1 hour before your schedule.

Let's all help each other close the distance. I hope this helps, if you have questions, don't hesitate to write it down on the comments section, or send  me an email at aissa.deguia@gmail.com. As long as I know the answer to your questions, I will try my best to help out.

“In true love the smallest distance is too great, and the greatest distance can be bridged.” – Hands Nouwens

Love is Worth the Wait

Last year,  February 14,2017- Valentines day.  One of the most exciting,  fun time of the year,  especially for young,  in love couples.  People would often say that Valentine's is not just for lovers,  but for everyone you love.  Which is true!  But,  when you are unattached,  and you see posts on social media, of the gifts they receive,  and how they celebrated this day,  or sweet couples everywhere, you might feel a little sad for yourself.  Trust me,  I know the feeling,  and I understand how annoying it can sometimes get.

A lot of years have passed,  when I don't even notice this day,  and it's completely okay.  But, last year was different.  I felt sad,  and jealous even.  I asked God,what was wrong with me,  why doesn't anybody love me the way I wanted?  Why is there a lot of people who found love,  and why can't I?  Am I a bad person who is so hard to love? Am I not worth it.  Not enough?  (Kulang na lang itanong ko,  "pangit ba 'ko,  kapalit-palit ba ko? " which I did not dare ask,  takot ko lng na masagot ako ng "oo! ")   I had all  these questions,  but I couldn't find the answers.

From that day onwards,  I just found myself drifting away from my relationship with God.  I stopped praying and going to church. It lasted for almost a month.  I felt like a spoiled brat who wanted something from her faher,  and when I couldn't receive it,  I threw tantrums and sulk in darkness.

I just realized one day that happiness cannot be found if you are not happy with yourself,  and love cannot be shared without loving yourself first.

After that realization,  I asked God for forgiveness,  and started to be "me" again.  That's when I started to get serious in praying,  not just for a lover,  but for a partner,  a team mate,  a confidant,  a best friend all rolled into one person . I told God,  "He doesn't have to be perfect,  he just have to be real" Then it was on the last week of March,  when I started to communicate with this man online,  at that time,  I have actually gave up on online dating.  But his messages are actually something someone can't ignore. One day I just heard "someone" whisper in my head ( and heart)  "give it another try".  So I trusted my gut, and that small voice inside me.

Up to this time,  I never really thought we will come this far.

For all of you who are still waiting to find true love,  whatever your age is,  or your gender is,  always remember,  if you want something so bad,  don't ever give up.  Always pray and ask God whatever your heart desires. Be specific, but  realistic. Set your goals.  You should first ask yourself,  what is your real priority ba?  Is it to find love,  or a nice job,  or be a millionare.  From there,  have faith that God will grant you the thing(s)  you've been praying for in His timing,  not yours.

Keep on praying,  no matter how long it takes. And,  while waiting,  have fun and enjoy every minute of your life,  travel alone,  spend time with friends and family,  make everyday special,  make everyday a Valentine's day.  Time will come,  and you won't even notice,  your prayers will be answered one by one.  Sometimes,  it can be more than what you have asked for.  More than what you even deserve.

It's true that God answers all our prayers in two different ways.  It's either a yes,  or "I have something better planned for you. " You just have to listen carefully on what he wants you to do,  and always pray faithfully.  Afterall,  I also believe that God knows our hearts,  he already know what we want to pray for,  we just need to show Him how much we trust Him,  by continuing to pray,  even though at times,  it seems impossible.  All we need to do is believe. ❤