Jul 14, 2012

The Second Step: Applying for K-1 Visa

After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing, and NVC will send it to the U.S. Embassy where your fiancé(e) will apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa.

I remember my excitement after our petition got approved but I was very confused on what to do next. Below are the processes I did prior to applying the K-1 Visa.

  • Obtain your Manila Case Number from NVC - call/email NVC after you receive the NOA2 (Approval Notice from USCIS) between 2-3 weeks. 
    Note: Visa interview may be set up before OR after the medical exam. In my case, I scheduled my interview AFTER I completed medical exam.  Also, don't wait for the Packet 4 because the U.S Embassy seldom send them to the applicants and it would arrive late usually and I never received mine. But here is the link to Packet 4
  • Your  fiancé(e) can proceed to a complete medical exam at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLMCEC) before the visa interview Applicants are advised to have their medical examinations done at least one week before their interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Click here for the Medical Exam required documents. I suggest register online because you will skip the registration process at SLMCEC so you save time.
    Current Medical Exam Fee:  $223.00 - SLMCEC does not accept credit card or dollar payments. The fees must be paid in Philippine pesos at the prevailing exchange rate.  
Documents I brought with me for my medical exam
  • Make sure your income meets the current  Poverty Guidelines because it is a strict requirement that you can support your  fiancé(e) when she/he arrives to the U.S and some applicants have been denied or delayed the process of a visa because of this. Click here for the current Poverty Guidelines.
  • Pay the Visa Fee at any BPI Branch (your Passport Number will be the Receipt Number.) Wait 3-4 hours before scheduling your interview date.
  • You may either call U.S Embassy and have them schedule your interview or you may set it up online: www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/  
  • Below are the documents I prepared:
  • BPI Receipt
  • Visa Interview confirmation 
  • PASSPORT. You must have a passport valid for at least six (6) months. 
  • Form DS-156 (2) copies 
  • Form DS-157 (2) copies 
  • DS-156K (1) copy 
  • Visa Photos (3) copies. I pasted two of them on the Form DS-156
  • NSO BIRTH CERTIFICATE. 
  • NBI CLEARANCE. 
  • EVIDENCE OF A GENUINE ENGAGEMENT. Photos, e-mails, chat transcripts, Western Union Receipts, engagement ring receipt
  • CENOMAR
  • Form  I-134 Affidavit of Support (Original copy) 
  • Supporting documents: Form W-2 (2010-2008), ITR 2010, Recent Pay Stubs, Letter of Employment, Bank Statement, US Petitioner's Birth Certificate
  • We also prepared our co-sponspor's documents just in case the CO would determine that my husband (fiance at that time) didn't meet the Poverty Level required. But the Consul didn't ask for it so I was very relieved. 

9 comments:

  1. I am applying for a K1 visa and I am worried that my medical will take longer so I am hesitant to schedule an interview that is a week apart from the medical, and I am so glad to see your note.

    How soon after your medical were you able to schedule for the interview?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for reading my blog. I scheduled mine a month after my medical exam because I was worried with some paperwork. Some applicants had scheduled medical exam and interview one week apart only and didn't have problems but that isn't recommended. If ever you have problems with your medical exam St. Luke's will inform USEM to cancel or postpone your visa interview.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So it is better to have my medical done and then I will schedule for an interview? Do you know if how many months is the validity of the medical?

    Thank you so much Ma'am.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Medical exam is valid for 6 months. It really depends on your preference if you schedule interview before or after your medical exam. If you are fully prepared for the interview why not but if you think you need more time for that then give it ample time. For me, it lessened the stress level because I still had time to gather all paperwork after my medical exam...
    I'm glad to help ;) by the way, are you a Filipina?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes Ma'am. I'm a filipina. I have a medical history with St. Luke's Medical at E.Rod. they might look into it, that's why i wanted more time with my medical at the St. Luke's extension before scheduling the interview. when i tried scheduling the interview online, the only days available are aug. 16, 17, 22, and 23 which are too soon. The lady at the embassy said that i need to schedule the interview first coz i need to show the appointment letter at the clinic, when i tried calling the clinic the guy said that i can have the medical even without the appointment. they are driving me crazy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ma'am, I have one more question, how were you able to print out the online registration for St. Luke's? i tried to register but it asks for the interview date which i don't have.

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  7. I see. Ya it can be confusing when they gave you different answers. St. Luke's had me sign a waiver because I didn't have interview date when I did my medical exam last year. Everything went smooth.

    As for online registration I set my interview date to 1/1/2011 because there was an instruction on the page to do so if there's no scheduled interview yet. I checked the registration page just now and it doesn't have that instruction anymore.

    Anyways, the purpose of the online registration is to reduce time and have your info ready so you can just tell them you don't have interview date yet.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is so depressing. I was about to go to Manila tonight for medical, but i took one last look at the online scheduling for interview hoping that they would open available dates on Sept., and to my surprise the earliest they have is Oct.1! So without thinking I scheduled Oct.1 coz now i'm worried that my NOA2 will expire. Oh well, that would give me sooo much time to do my medical but that would be another month being so far with my the man I love. :-( But I am very thankful for your kindness and patience in answering my questions. God Bless

    ReplyDelete
  9. I know I've been there :) It will be all worth it. My NOA2 got approved on July, medical exam on September and interview on November. So there were 2-month gap between each process. USEM even called me on October to schedule my interview haha...

    By the way, USEM routinely extends NOA2 to another four months if you cannot schedule an appointment.

    You're welcome I'm glad I can help. Good luck with your med exam and interview. I swear I was more stressed with the medical exam than the interview.

    ReplyDelete

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