Embassy of the United States in Manila, Philippines
The processing time, from the day our law office files your I-129F Petition with the USCIS, to the day the K1 Visa is issued by the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines is approximately:
4-7 Months
All Philippines Nationals residing in the Philippines must have their K1 Visa applications processed at the US Embassy located in Manila, Philippines. The application can only be adjudicated after the approved I-129F Petition is forwarded to the post by the National Visa Center in the United States.
If you are a Philippines National residing in a country other than the Philippines, you may be eligible to process your k1 visa application in that foreign country. Contact our law firm today to find out if you or your fiancee meet the eligibility requirements.
We were very happy with your firm’s services…Mr. [Solomon] prepared me well for my interview and I felt very comfortable when I went…It was really very much like he said it would be and we are very greatful for his expertise… Glenn, New York, New New York
Graciel, Cebu City, Philippines
Embassy Address:
From within the Philippines:
Immigrant Visa Branch
United States Embassy 1201
Roxas Blvd., Ermita 1000, Manila
From outside the Philippines:
Immigrant Visa Branch
PSC 500 Box 26
FPO AP 96515-1000 USA
Time it takes for an interview appointment after petition is received by embassy:
1-2 Months
Time for issuance of a k1 visa after the interview
1-2 weeks
Places to go for medical exams (do NOT
get a medical exam until our offices
instruct you):
St. Luke’s Extension Clinic
1177 J. Bocobo Street
Ermita, Manila
tel.: 521-0020 and 521-8647
Our Philippines Overseas Support Staff Speak Fluent English and
Tagalog and have been through the k1 visa process too!
Below, please find more useful information about some of the required documents the K1 Visa Applicant will need prior to going for the interview. Please note that this list is not comprehensive and there are many other items and evidence that must be brought to the interview. Prior to interview, our office and/or your Overseas Support Staff will instruct you on all items and give you a mock interview for preparation.
The NSO (National Statistics Office) is the main records keeper for civil records. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is the main records keeper for criminal records. Local civil records in many areas in the Philippines have been destroyed due to war and natural disasters. When civil document are not available, persons should obtain a certificate of non-availability from the National Statistics Office (NSO). Local parishes usually issue similar certificates of non-availability.
Embassy Preferred documents
Documents issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are preferred by the US Embassy in Manila. These agencies have branches and outlets throughout the Philippines. Documents from these sources are centrally registered, are printed on paper with security marks, and are considered more reliable than documents issued by local registrars.
Persons should request certificates that are issued with the “CDLI endorsement” (Court Documents and Legal Instruments). This endorsement shows any changes that may have been made to the original document from annulments, marriages, name changes etc. Unless a CDLI copy is requested, the requester will receive the unamended or original copy of the document.
Birth Certificates
Persons may get their birth certificates at any NSO branch. Relatives in the Philippines may request these documents on behalf of the Applicant. The NSO can also provide an index of all children born to an Applicant.
Birth certificates can also be requested directly on the website www.ecensus.com.ph.
A certified copy of birth registrations may also be obtained from the local civil registrar at the place of birth, however these are not preferred documents to prove birth. This is due to the fact that Local Civil Registrar records are often incomplete and must be enhanced with other documents such as a local birth certificate with baptismal certificate.
Frequently, certificates for births occurring since 1946 may also be obtained from the National Census and Statistics Office (NCSO), at the NSO East Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Certificates of birth before 1946 are maintained at the National Archives Division at T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.
Divorce Certificates
Certified copies of a divorce certificate can be requested and obtained from the appropriate court. Divorce was ONLY recognized in the Philippines between March 11, 1917 and August 29, 1950; since the latter date, courts have been empowered to grant legal separation (annulment) but not divorce. Even during the period of legal recognition, divorces were rare in the Philippines because of limited legal grounds for granting divorces. Thus, most people have or should have an Annulment.
Death Certificates
Death certificates can be obtained from the NSO or at www.ecensus.com.ph using the same procedures as birth certificates.
Certified copies can also be requested and obtained from local civil registrars. As in the cases of birth and marriage, certificates of deaths occurring since 1946 are obtainable from the National Census and Statistics Office. Death certificates before 1946 are maintained at the National Archives Division, National Library Building at T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.
Military and Police Officer records
Certificate of Prior Service can be obtained from the Office of the Adjutant General, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of National Defense at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Philippine National Police officers have a judicial system, similar records are available for former these officers from the Philippine National Police Headquarters, Camp Crane, Quezon City.
Police records
Philippine-born immigrant visa applicants 16 years and over are required to furnish certificates issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The green NBI certificate annotated for travel abroad is the correct certificate. Other colors are for local use only. Foreign-born applicants who have resided in the Philippines for six months or more may be issued NBI clearances upon application either in person or by mail. Applicants residing outside the Philippines should send requests for certificates together with money orders or bank drafts for the fees and postage to IRD-Mailed Clearance Section, National Bureau of Investigation, Taft Avenue, Metro Manila, Philippines. Philippine Embassies abroad can assist Filipinos in obtaining NBI police clearances. The NBI has its own fingerprint charts and personal data forms that it will send to the requesting applicant for execution. Most applicants abroad find it more expeditious to have a relative or friend in the Philippines assist them in obtaining their certificates from the NBI. In that instance, a letter of authorization is required. The applicant may also submit a copy (“personal copy”) of a prior NBI clearance to facilitate the processing of a new clearance. Posts are advised that not all arrests and convictions occurring outside of Manila are reported to the NBI. NBI’s criminal records database is not foolproof and the remarks provided on reports require explanation.*Manila and major Philippine cities have computerized records.
Applicants who prefer to secure the certificate personally must proceed to the NBI Clearance Center at:
5th Floor, Victory Central Mall
Old Victory Compound , Rizal Avenue
Monumento, Caloocan City
Or to the following Satellite Offices and Renewal Kiosks:
Satellite Offices:
Quezon City Hall Rodriguez (Rizal) Municipal Hall
Muntinlupa City Hall Marikina (Riverbanks)
Las Pinas City Hall Taytay (Rizal) Municipal Hall
Mandaluyong City Hall Los Banos (Laguna) Municipal Hall
Caloocan City Hall POEA (Ortigas)
Valenzuela City Hall
Renewal Kiosks:
SM Megamall (Mandaluyong City)
Park Square I (Makati City)
Tutuban Center (Divisoria)
For NBI provincial offices, please visit this link: http://www.nbi.gov.ph/field_offices.htm.
*For explanation of the remarks, please consult the National Bureau of Investigation or the U.S. Embassy Manila, Immigrant Visa Unit.
Prison records
Applications should be made to the Director, Bureau of Prisons, National Penitentiary, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila. Local police chiefs usually furnish details of jail terms upon request.
| Law Offices of Michael S. Solomon exclusively practices K1 visa and Marriage-based immigration law. We are expert k1 visa attorneys and spousal visa attorneys with more than 10 years of experience and have assisted thousands of US citizens and foreign nationals with navigating complex immigration laws and successfully immigrating to the united states.
K1 Fiancee Visa processing times for countries near the Philippines:
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