Monday 27 June 2011

NVC Checklist Received

June 27- So today I called NVC and according to their AVR( automatic voice response) system, that on June 24, they have received the required checklist that they previously sent me which was the DS-230 Immigrant Visa document. In other words it was already entered on their system on that day. According to the AVR, I have to wait another 6-8 weeks for further processing to complete the case. Once the case is complete with no RFE's ahead, they will forward the case to their consulate office in Manila. Meaning to say, next step is interview appointment.

Saturday 25 June 2011

NVC Checklist Cover Letter

June 18,2011- This day I received an email from NVC with a subject line of "Checklist Cover Letter". It's a 3 pages attachment letter from NVC which basically an RFE or a request for more evidence.

Below, is the exact wording from NVC which I copied and pasted it here.


_
_____IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION:__________________________________
The NVC has received the requested Affidavit of Support form (I-864) for this case. However, we are
still waiting for the Immigrant Visa Application (DS-230) and corresponding civil documents for each
traveling applicant to be returned to National Visa Center for review. You will find the DS-230 form
along with complete instructions for submitting the civil documentation required for this case at
www.ImmigrantVisas.state.gov under the Applicant Document Processing link.
We urge you to send in the DS-230 form(s) and required civil documentation for each traveling family
member in one package to the National Visa Center (NVC). Sending the information in separately may cause delays in the processing of this case.


Basically, they are waiting for my Mom's DS-230(Immigrant Visa form)documents or the packet IV. But I have mailed the packet IV already on June 10 and was received on June 13. I think the package was still on their mail room and not on the assign officer table that handle IV cases. This Monday would be the 14th business days from the time NVC received the package. So, I would be calling to follow-up if my Mom's Immigrant Visa documents is in their system already. I'm crossing my fingers that there would be no another another evidence they are needed.

Friday 17 June 2011

St. Lukes Medical Exam -PASSED

My Mom had her 2nd day of Medical Exam for her Immigrant Visa at SLEC on June 16. It was a long day for her. I was also worried what the medical results would be. But when they got there on the next day, the guard stamped my Mom's medical receipt with "IMMUNIZATION" instead of Sputum . Meaning, my Mom passed her Medical Exam. And she was directed to another floor for immunization vaccines then to the releasing counter for the result.

After months of worrying, now it is safe to say that my Mom is healthy and ready for her visa interview. Hoping to get an appointment soon.

Wednesday 15 June 2011

St. Lukes Extension Advanced Medical Exam

So my Mom and my sister are in Manila right now for my Mom's medical exam at St. Lukes Extension Clinic(SLEC). They are staying at my cousins' house in Paranaque. It's 2 rides going to St. Lukes. Yesterday, June 15 (PH time) was my Mom's first day of Physical Exam. They came in at around noon so they did not have to fall in line early in the morning with the rest of the applicants. Days before they flew to Manila, I filled out an online registration to pre-register my Mom's medical exam to aid the registration process. After submitting the online form, I printed them out and I had it scanned. I then attached on an email that I sent to my sister. She printed them out and brought with them along with all the documents.

The Online Registration Form can be found at St. Lukes website. Pre-Registration online for your medical exam is not required but only an option. This online registration is only available for U.S Immigrant Visa Applicants.

When they got there yesterday at the building she handed the filled-out form that my sister printed to the guard with the NOA2 or approval notice along with the NVC letter with case number on it. My mom did not have to fill out the PDS (Patient Data Sheet). She was then instructed to wait for her number to be called for next step.

Her first day of medical was done before the office hours and was instructed to come back the next which is today at 1pm Philippine time for her immunization and medical results. Hopefully there are no problems on her X-Ray result so she don't have to for Sputum which could take couple months to get the result.

As per SLEC website, the medical exam fee is US$213.35 for adults (15 years and older) and US$185.35 for children (under 15 years of age). SLMCEC does not accept credit card or dollar payments. The fees must be paid in Philippine pesos at the prevailing exchange rate.

SLEC is located at 1177 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita, Manila. We can be reached by telephone at (+63 2)521-0020, (+63 2)521-8647. SLEC is open from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is best to arrive for your medical examination between 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Applicants are served on a first come first served basis, but the order of release of medical reports will depend on the complexity of the results of the medical examination.

Friday 10 June 2011

Packet IV Mailed to NVC


June 10-- Today, I sent my Mom's Immigrant Visa (IV) Packet through USPS Priority Mail. Estimated delivery date would be Monday, June 13. It only cost me $5.65 including the delivery confirmation of $.70 . I was going to use the Express Mail for over night delivery but since it's the weekend and NVC would be closed so there's no reason for overnight mail. It just a waste of money which would doubled or more on the amount I have paid on Priority Mail.
I pray that there is no problem on all the documents that I have sent to NVC. I hope they got what they asked :)

Inside the IV packet were:

NVC BAR-CODED COVERSHEET
SIGNED DS230 ( Original)
2 (2x2 id )
APPROVAL NOTICE FROM USCIS
Original and Photocopy of Beneficiary’s Birth Certificate
Photocopy of Beneficiary’s Passport (Biographic Page)
NBI Clearance (original)
*Petitioner’s Original and Photocopy of Birth Certificate
*Petitioner’s Original and Photocopy of Marriage Certificate
*Petitioner's Naturalization certificate 
*Petitioner’s Passport Copy

*PHOTOGRAPHS 

Immigrant Visa (IV) Packet Documents is Ready!

Yesterday, I received the last document (for the 2nd time) that I was waiting from my mom which is the page 2 of DS230 Part I. As long as the USPS building is open in the morning I'm going to send this out. It has been exactly a week since IV Status was "PAID". Because of many typical errors it causes the delay of the submission of the IV Packet. I am praying that everything NVC have asking for the Immigrant Visa supporting documents are inside the packet.

PACKET IV DOCUMENTS:

*Document Cover Sheet(from NVC)
*NVC Approval Notice
*NVC letter w/ MNL Case #
*Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration -DS230
*4 (2x2)photographed -white background
*Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate
*Copy of NBI
*Copy of Beneficiary's Passport
*Copy of Petitioner's Birth Certificate
*Copy of Petitioner's Marriage Certificate/License (showing name changed)
*Copy of Petitioner's US Passport
*Copy of Petitioner's Naturalization Certificate
*Family Photograph

I have also included Original Copies of the following:

* Petitioner's Orig. Birth Certificate
*Petitioner's Orig. Marriage Certificate
*Beneficiary's Orig. Birth Certificate
*Beneficiary's Orig. NBI Clearance

Sunday 5 June 2011

DS-230 Immigrant Visa Application Error

As I mentioned on my May 24th's post, my Mother signed and dated Page 2 of the DS-230 Form which my brother sent 2 copies to me through JRS Express. It cost them P1,500 pesos. As soon as I got the paper I checked right away and double checked again to make sure there was no typical error. As we know, NVC is very particular so I don't want them to send back the mail in case there's an error(that happens before). Anyways, 2 weeks after as I am ready to send the Packet IV to NVC to complete the process, I found one error. At the bottom of #32 of page 2 of DS-230, asked "In what occupation do you intend to work in the United States?" my brother forgot to write down an info that the form was asking. He supposed to write "UNKNOWN or NOT KNOWN".

So now, as of this writing, I let my sister fill-out the form and told her to pay attention and double check each question before printing. Making an error again would delay the processing as it has to be my mom's signature on it. So my sister has to send the missing form again through JRS International and would be here in 2-3 business days. As long as I get it, I will mail the IV Packet right away.

Saturday 4 June 2011

Immigrant Visa (IV) Payment Status "PAID"

June 4- After exactly 3 business days from the time I paid the IV Processing fee the status shows "PAID" which I never thought it would cleared that fast. So I followed the instruction at the online payment center and printed the IV Document Cover Sheet which will be included with the completed DS-230 from my mom and all supporting documents. I have all the documents ready but have to wait till Monday to mail them since today is Saturday.

Friday 3 June 2011

Affidavit of Support(AOS) Package Sent

June 2, 2011- Today I sent the AOS Package through USPS Priority Mail. The estimated delivery date would be June 6.
Inside the AOS Package you can find these following documents:
-Cover Letter
-AOS Document Cover Sheet(barcoded from NVC)
-complete I-864, Affidavit of Support
-2010, Tax Return Transcript
-2010 W-2
2010, 1099 Form
-Employment Letter ( orig & copy)
- Latest Pay Stubs (last 6 mos)

Thursday 2 June 2011

Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee Bill Invoice

June 1st, I received an email from the National Visa Center for my IV Invoice. Attached was a 3 pages pdf file including the Bill. The Bill shows the NVC case number, Beneficiary ID, Invoice Date, Amount Due ($404) and Invoice ID Number(IIN). The files also has Payment instruction and Visa Information.

I logged in to the IV Invoice Payment Center( https://ceac.state.gov/CTRAC/Invoice/Signon.aspx?node=Signin) to pay for the required fee. To log in, I provided the nvc case #, and the IIN on the blanks. So I paid $404 for the IV processing  fee last night using my saving account(another option is your US checking account) . The payment status still shows "PROCESS" and have to wait for 3 business days for payment to be cleared.

**almost there*

Update as of July2013: Immigrant Visa (IV) Processing  Fee is now only $230 compared to $404  2 yrs ago.

AOS FEE SHOWS "PAID"

June 1, 2011- Exactly 3 business days the payment status of the Affidavit of Support (AOS) shows PAID. The same time I also printed the Document Cover Sheet for my AOS. The cover sheet is to be included with Petitioner's (me) completed forms and supporting documents like; completed I-864 Form, (signed and dated), latest tax return or tax transcript with W-2 or 1099 for self-employed, Employment letter, latest Pay-Stubs (last 6mos).

I have everything ready but have to double check my AOS documents and will be mailed out tomorrow.