Embassy Letter

Embassy of the United States of America

Consular Section - Immigrant Visa Unit

Manila, Philippines

Dear K1/K2 Visa Applicant:

An appointment has been scheduled for you to apply for a K1 nonimmigrant visa as the fianc(e) of a U.S.

citizen or for a K2 nonimmigrant visa as the unmarried minor child of a K1 applicant.

You must bring the following documentation when you come to the Embassy for your interview:

1. PROOF OF PAYMENT. The application fee for a K1 or K2 nonimmigrant visa is US$100 (or the

Philippine peso equivalent at the prevailing exchange rate) which should be paid by each applicant at

designated branches of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Citibank (see attached list). The

bank will validate your payment on the DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form which you will

find in this packet.

2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. It is important that you submit ALL of the following documentation to

facilitate the processing of your application. You may be asked to return for another appointment

if you fail to bring any of these documents:

a. PASSPORT. You must have a passport valid for at least six (6) months. If you do not have one,

you should apply in person at the Passport Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),

Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila. For passport renewal, you can call the DFA

Information Center at 02-737-1000.

b. DS-156 NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION (enclosed). Each applicant must submit two

(2) completed copies of this form.

c. DS-157 SUPPLEMENTAL NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION (enclosed). Each

applicant must submit two (2) completed copies of this form.

d. DS-156K NONIMMIGRANT FIANCE(E) VISA APPLICATION (enclosed). Each applicant

must submit one (1) completed copy of this form. This form is not required for K2 applicants.

e. BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Your birth certificate should be a copy issued by the National Statistics

Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper. If applicable, you should also submit NSO birth

certificates for all your children, even for those who are not applying for a visa. You may call the

NSO Information Center at 02-737-1111 to inquire on securing a birth certificate or visit their

website at http://www.census.gov.ph. If the NSO does not have a copy of the birth certificates, you

must obtain a statement about its unavailability from the NSO and a certified birth certificate from

the local registrar in the town where you were born.

f. NBI CLEARANCE. Applicants aged 16 years and older must have a valid Record Clearance for

Travel Abroad Purposes from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Clearances should be in

the applicant’s current name, birth certificate name, maiden name and any aliases or nicknames

ever used, including different spellings you have used of those names. An official letter of

(Rev. February 2007) Page 1 of 4

explanation from the NBI is required if an NBI Clearance has any of the following notations: “No

Criminal Record,” “No Criminal Conviction,” “No Pending Case,” or “With Derogatory Record.”

g. OTHER COUNTRY POLICE CERTIFICATES. Applicants aged 16 years and older must also

present police certificates from other countries where they have lived for six (6) months or more

after reaching the age of 16. As with NBI clearances, foreign police certificates should be obtained

in any maiden names, aliases or nicknames ever used while in the country in question, including

different spellings you have used of those names. Information on how to secure police certificates

from other countries is available on the Department of State’s website at

http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/index.htm

h. EVIDENCE OF A MEETING PRIOR TO THE PETITION. You and your petitioner must

have physically been together at some point within two years before the petition was filed. Proof of

this meeting should be submitted unless the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

waives this requirement. A few photographs of the applicant and petitioner together during the

specified time may serve as evidence of this requirement.

i. EVIDENCE OF A GENUINE ENGAGEMENT. Letters, e-mails, phone records, bank records,

photographs, or other evidence of a genuine fianc(e) relationship should be submitted.

j. PROOF OF TERMINATION OF A PRIOR MARRIAGE. If applicable, official documents

(divorce decree, annulment decree or death certificate) that prove all prior marriages contracted by

you and the petitioner have been legally terminated prior to the filing of the petition must be

submitted.

k. EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT. You should be able to demonstrate that you will not become a public

charge or be a burden on the U.S. taxpayers for financial support. Submit your petitioner’s most

recent U.S. Federal income tax return (Form 1040) and wage statements (Form W-2). Employment

letters stating salaries and bank statements may be included. A completed I-134 Affidavit of

Support Form will be useful to the consular officer to evaluate your petitioner’s ability to be

financially responsible for you.

l. VISA PHOTOGRAPHS. You must bring two (2) colored photographs printed according to given

specifications (see attached guide). The specifications for visa photos should be strictly observed.

3. RESULTS OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION. All K1 and K2 visa applicants must complete a

medical examination at St. Luke’s Extension Clinic. There is a $95 fee for applicants who are older than

14 years old and $67 for applicants aged 14 years and younger. These fees are also payable in Philippine

pesos. St. Luke’s Extension Clinic is located at 1177 J. Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila, Telephone Numbers

521-0020 and 521-8647.

Come To The Embassy On Your Appointed Interview Date. If you are eligible for a K1 or K2 visa,

your passport with the approved visa attached will be delivered to the address you provided on the DS-156

application form. The Embassy uses a guaranteed courier service to handle its deliveries. Delivery should

be within two weeks from your visa issuance. Some cases may need further review, which may your

application by several more weeks. Should we have questions about your application, we will send a letter

(Rev. February 2007) Page 2 of 4

and ask you to submit additional documents, or to return to the Embassy. No Embassy representative is

authorized to tell you that a visa has been approved until a consular officer authorizes printing of the visa.

Important Reminders:

♦ For the safety and security of all applicants and employees, visa applicants are no longer permitted to

bring cell phones or other electronic devices into the U.S. Embassy. Applicants who bring such devices

will be denied entry. Please make arrangements to leave your electronic equipment in a safe location

off Embassy grounds during your interview appointment. We regret any inconvenience this may cause

and appreciate your cooperation.

♦ We will try to return documents that you submitted and asked us to return, but please do not give us

anything that cannot be replaced. Make copies of important documents and submit copies along with

originals you want returned to you.

♦ Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months. Since unexpected problems may occur while

processing visa applications, we strongly suggest that applicants submit passports that are valid for at

least one (1) year. We will ask you to submit a new passport if your current one has a validity of less

than six (6) months.

♦ The K1 or K2 visa is not an immigrant visa, nor is it a legal permanent resident card (green card). The

K1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows you to travel to the United States to marry your petitioner

within 90 days of your entry to the United States. Once you marry, you need to apply to the USCIS to

adjust your status to a legal permanent resident (LPR). Traveling outside of the U.S. while an

adjustment of status application is pending may have severe consequences. You should contact the

USCIS before you travel to determine if you require a travel document to re-enter the U.S. It is

important that you obtain proper documentation before leaving the United States, even on an

emergency.

♦ Minor children who are identified in the approved I-129F petition may follow-to-join their petitioned

parent. However, they must apply for and be issued (if qualified) K2 visas within a year from the time

the parent was issued the K1 visa. After one (1) year, they will no longer be able to derive immigration

benefits from the I-129F petition and you or your spouse will have to file an immediate relative or

second preference petition for a new visa.

Although we will make every effort to deliver your passport and visa as quickly as possible, we

advise you not to finalize travel plans to the United States until you receive the visa.

For inquiries about the visa application process, you may contact the Embassy's Visa Call Center at 1-909-101-7878

(PLDT and Smart). Callers in the USA can contact the Call Center at 1-888-877-9888. The Call Center is open Monday

through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Manila time). There is a fee assessed to callers by the Call Center for its

services.

Visit our website at: http://philippines.usembassy.gov

(Rev. February 2007) Page 3 of 4

*Should there be any dispute regarding the English and Filipino versions of this information, the English version shall prevail*

The Immigrant and Fianc(e) Visa Call Center Can Answer Your Questions 24 Hours a Day / 7 Days a Week.

1-909-101-0011 (PLDT) 1-903-101-0011 (Bayantel) 1-900-101-0011(Globe)

63-2-843-8414 (International Calls)

(Rev. February 2007) Page 4 of 4

Embassy of the United States of America

Consular Section - Immigrant Visa Unit

Manila, Philippines

“K” Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee

“K” nonimmigrant visa applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee of US$100 dollars or

its equivalent in Philippine peso at the prevailing exchange rate. The fee can be paid at any of the

designated banks listed below. Payment is valid for one year.

CITIBANK Bank of the Philippine

Islands

Bank of the Philippine

Islands

Makati

Manila

Central East Visayas

�� Paseo de Roxas �� Roxas Blvd. �� Cebu-Main

Alabang �� T.M. Kalaw �� Cebu Business Park

�� Alabang-Zapote Road

Cebu

�� Mindanao Ave. cor Biliran Rd.

�� Sucat – Main

�� Ermita

�� Cebu-Lahug

�� Cebu-Jones

�� Cebu-MEPZ

�� Tacloban City

Bank of the Philippine

Islands

Mandaluyong/San Juan/Pasig/

Cainta

�� North Greenhills

�� Julia Vargas

Western Visayas

�� Iloilo Main

�� Bacolod Main

Makati �� Megamall

�� Ayala Avenue �� Cainta Southern Mindanao

�� Ayala East �� Davao Main

�� Ayala Triangle Quezon City �� Zamboanga Main

�� Ayala MSE �� Visayas Avenue �� Cagayan de Oro Main

�� Ayala West �� West Avenue �� Butuan City

�� Buendia BEL-AIR �� Araneta Avenue

�� Corinthian �� Blue Ridge Central Luzon

�� Forbes Park �� Loyola �� Angeles City Main

�� Greenbelt Cinema �� San Fernando City Main

�� Greenbelt Drive North Manila �� Olongapo City

�� Legaspi Salcedo �� Espana

�� Legaspi Amorsolo �� Grace Park 11th Ave. Northern Luzon

�� Magallanes �� Laoag City

�� MCC 6750 Binondo �� Baguio City – Session Road

�� MCC Atrium �� Plaza Cervantes �� San Fernando – La Union

�� Makati- Main �� Binondo

�� Paseo de Roxas Southern Luzon

�� Pasong Tamo South Manila �� Batangas City

�� Pasong Tamo - Lumbang �� Zapote �� Lucena City

�� Pasong Tamo - Herrera �� Bacoor Rotonda �� Legaspi City

�� Salcedo – Alfaro �� Calamba Crossing �� Naga City

�� Salcedo - Tordesillas �� New Alabang

�� Muntinlupa City

Embassy of the United States of America

Consular Section – Immigrant Visa Unit

Manila, Philippines

MEDICAL EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMMIGRANT,

“K” AND “V” VISA APPLICANTS

Under U.S. immigration law, ALL applicants for immigrant, “K,” and “V” visas are required to undergo and

complete a medical examination, regardless of age. The medical examination findings by a panel physician are

binding on the consular officer and used to determine eligibility to receive a visa.

St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLMCEC) is the Embassy’s accredited medical facility. It is located at

1177 J. Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila. The telephone numbers are 521-0020 and 521-8647, and it is open for

business Monday through Friday (except on Philippine holidays), from 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m.-

4:30 p.m. When you go to SLMCEC for medical examination, you must bring your interview appointment letter,

passport, and one photo (size: 2” x 2”).

It is important that you must have completed your medical examination when you come to the Embassy for your

visa interview. Otherwise, your visa application will be refused or you may be asked to return for another

appointment. The medical examination results are delivered directly to the Embassy.

I. First-Come, First-Served

Applicants are examined on a first-come, first-served basis. Medical examinations may take more than one day to

complete. Female applicants may request a female doctor to perform the examination. Unless it is necessary, do not

bring companions due to space limitation at the clinic.

II. Fees

The medical examination fee is US$95 for adults (15 years of age or older) and US$67 for children (14 years of age

or younger). Repeat X-rays will cost US$7 each. Fees must be paid in their Philippine peso equivalent at the

prevailing U.S. Embassy exchange rate.

III. X-Rays

A chest X-ray is not required for children below 15 years old, unless symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) exist, there is a

history of TB, or there has been possible exposure of TB with a known case such as contact with a family or

household member with TB.

Chest X-rays for pregnant women are not dangerous if taken with the proper shielding. U.S. Public Health Service

(USPHS)/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has approved an exception to the chest X-ray requirement for pregnant

women if they do not want to take it. However, pregnant women visa applicants are advised to obtain a tuberculin

skin test and any necessary follow-up at the local health department after arriving in the United States.

Applicants who have previous chest X-rays must bring the results with them to SLMCEC for comparative analysis.

IV. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Test

HIV infection, which may lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is a communicable disease of

public health significance. ALL applicants 15 years of age or older must be tested for evidence of HIV infection.

Those under the age of 15 may be tested if there is reason to suspect HIV infection (for example a child whose

natural parent is HIV-positive).

V. Divulgence of Contents of Medical Exam Reports

Visa records, including medical exam reports in support of a visa application, are confidential under the law and

are generally NOT releasable. Consular officers may not divulge the particulars of an applicant’s physical or

mental health.

Embassy of the United States of America

Consular Section - Immigrant Visa Unit

Manila, Philippines

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT FOR “K” VISA APPLICANTS

U.S. immigration law requires that ALL intending immigrants be vaccinated against certain vaccine-preventable

diseases before they can be admitted to the United States for permanent residence.

Vaccinations currently required are as follows:

• Mumps

• Measles

• Rubella

• Polio

• Tetanus and Diphtheria toxoids

• Pertussis

• Influenza Type B

• Hepatitis Type B

• Varicella

• Pneumoccocal

“K” visa applicants, as nonimmigrant visa applicants, are technically not subject to the vaccination requirement.

“K” visa applicants who refuse to comply with the vaccination requirement will not be denied a visa on that

basis. As a matter of expediency, however, it is encouraged that “K” visa applicants meet the vaccination

requirement before they are admitted into the U.S.

Bring Your Vaccination Records for the Panel Physician’s Review

You should bring records to show that you have already received vaccinations against certain vaccine-preventable

diseases. The panel physician will review the vaccination records and will determine if you meet the vaccination

requirement. Only the panel physician can determine which vaccinations are medically appropriate. This could

mean that you may be required to repeat doses of vaccines that you have already received. Administering a

second dose, however, will not endanger your health.

Adjustment Of Status Application After “K” Applicant’s Admission Into The U.S.

After you have been admitted to the U.S. in “K” status and apply for adjustment from nonimmigrant to a

permanent resident (green card holder), the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use the panel

physician’s vaccination assessment to determine your admissibility on medical grounds. Applicants who have not

fully complied with the vaccination requirement will have to do so before they may finalize their adjustment of

status in the U.S.

Vaccination Requirement Waiver

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.

Embassy of the United States of America

Consular Section - Immigrant Visa Unit

Manila, Philippines

Manila

Doctors

Hosp.

MANILA

PAVILION

WHO NBI SUPREME

COURT

PHILAM COURT OF MFA

BLDG. APPEALS

PGH NSOB

MFA

ANNEX

U.S. EMBASSY

St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLMCEC)

1177 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita

1000 Manila

Phone numbers: 521-86-47

521-00-20

OROSA ST.

DEPT. OF

TOURISM

X

J. BOCOBO ST.

ROBINSON’s

DEPT.

STORE

MANILA

MIDTOWN

RAMADA

HOTEL

M. ADRIATICO ST.

A. MABINI ST.

M.H. DEL PILAR ST.

ERMITA

CENTER RMC

ROXAS BLVD.

PARK

RIZAL

PARK

TO QUIAPO

AIWA SONY

U. N. AVENUE

T. M. KALAW ST.

FLORES ST.

ARQUIZA ST.

PADRE FAURA ST.

STA. MONICA ST.

PEDRO GIL ST.

TAFT AVENUE

P. BURGOS ST.

Embassy of the United States of America

Consular Section - Immigrant Visa Unit

Manila, Philippines

Photograph Requirements For Immigrant and “K” Visa Applicants

One (1) photograph for each immigrant visa applicant and two (2) photographs for each “K” nonimmigrant

visa applicant are required. The following guidelines should be considered to produce high quality

photographs for U.S. visas:

�� Photos must be in color, glossy and have only a white or off-white background.

�� Subject must be shown in full frontal view, full face and eyes open. Center head within frame (see Figure 1

below). Make sure photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin. Dimension of the facial

image or height of head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm). Eye level must be

between 1-1/8 inches and 1-3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from bottom of photo.

�� Face and background should be uniformly illuminated so that there are no distracting shadows. Fine facial

features should be discernible. Encourage subject to have a natural expression.

�� Include headpieces if worn daily for religious purposes. Headpieces should not obscure or cast shadows on

the eyes or any other part of the face. A photo of a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil, which

conceals portions of the face and does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable.

�� Eyeglasses should be worn if normally used by subject. Sunglasses or other eyewear are not acceptable

unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example).

�� The size of the photo should be 2 inches by 2 inches (50 mm x 50 mm).

�� The image must be sharp and the photo must be correctly exposed. It must be devoid of stains, rips or any

discoloration. Digitally printed photos should be produced without discernible pixels or dot patterns.

�� Photos are required for all applicants regardless of age.

Figure 1. Head Position & Placement Examples of Well-Composed Visa Photos

For additional information, you may visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/index.html

K1 LINKS: Downloadable Forms

1. DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application)

http://evisaforms.state.gov/

2. DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application)

http://foia.state.gov/FORMS/visa/ds0157.pdf

3. DS-156K (Nonimmigrant Fiance(e) Visa Application)

http://foia.state.gov/FORMS/visa.ds0156.pdf

4. I-134 (Affidavit of Support)

http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/I-134.htm