08/27/2025
✈️What happens after the I-140 is filed?
1️⃣ I-140 Petition and I-797 NOA: 📑
I-140: Your employer files the I-140 Petition for Immigrant Worker with USCIS to request a visa on your behalf.
I-797 NOA (Notice of Action):📬 Once USCIS approves the I-140, you will receive the I-797 NOA. This notice confirms the approval of your petition and indicates that your case is now in the system.
2️⃣ Visa Fee Bill and Payment: 💸
After your I-140 is approved and your case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC), you'll receive the NVC Welcome Letter. This letter will include:
a. Your Case Number and Invoice ID Number.
b. Instructions on how to pay the Visa Fee through the CEAC website (Consular Electronic Application Center).
c. Visa Fee: The fee varies depending on the visa type, but it's generally paid online via the CEAC system.
** How to Pay the Visa Fee:
a. Log in to your CEAC account using the Invoice ID Number & Case Number.
b. Follow the instructions to pay the fee online or through a
designated payment center in the Philippines.
c. After payment, keep the receipt for your records.
3️⃣ Priority Date (PD), Date of Filing, and Final Action Date: ⏳
👉Priority Date (PD): This is the date USCIS receives your I-140 petition. This date is important because it determines when you can move forward with your application.
👉Date of Filing: This is the date when your priority date is eligible for submission of the DS-260 form and other documents. It’s published in the Visa Bulletin.
👉Final Action Date: This is the date when your visa becomes available. You must monitor the Visa Bulletin published monthly by the U.S. Department of State. When your priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date, you can proceed with the next steps in the process.
4️⃣ Packet 4 (P4) Letter (Documentarily Qualified, DQ’d): 📬
Once your priority date is current and you have submitted the Visa Fee and DS-260, the National Visa Center (NVC) will review your documents.
Documentarily Qualified (DQ'd): This means that the NVC has received all the required documents and your case is ready for the USEM (U.S. Embassy Manila) interview. After your case is DQ'd, you will receive the P4 Letter from the NVC, which contains instructions for the next steps.
5️⃣ SLEC Medical Exam: 🏥
SLEC (St.Luke's Extension Clinic) in the Philippines is the designated medical facility for U.S. visa applicants. You will need to complete the medical exam as part of the visa process.
** How to Schedule and Complete the Medical Exam:
a. Schedule an appointment: After receiving your Visa Fee Bill and
P4 letter, schedule your medical exam at St. Luke's Extension
Clinic. (https://slec.ph)
b. Required Documents:
b.1. Passport (valid for at least 6 months).
b.2. Vaccination records.
b.3. Visa Fee receipt.
b.4. DS-260 confirmation page.
c. Medical Exam Process:
Complete the necessary vaccinations and medical tests.
After the exam, SLMC will provide a sealed medical report which will be forwarded directly to the U.S. Embassy.
6️⃣ Fingerprinting (Biometric Appointment) in the Philippines: 🖐️
Fingerprinting is part of the biometric appointment process required by the U.S. Embassy. In the Philippines, biometric services are provided through the CGI Federal system and are done at a designated biometric appointment center.
** How to Schedule Fingerprinting (Biometric Appointment):
After paying the Visa Fee and completing the DS-260, go to the CGI Federal website (https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph).
Create an account or log in to your existing account.
Follow the instructions to schedule your biometric appointment at one of the CGI Federal Centers in the Philippines.
You will receive a biometrics appointment confirmation and instructions on where to go.
Where to Do Fingerprinting:
Visa Application Center in Cogon Bldg.,Parqal Mall, Parañaque City.
Things to Bring to the Fingerprinting Appointment:
Appointment confirmation page from CGI Federal.
Passport (valid for at least 6 months).
Visa Fee receipt.
DS-260 confirmation page.
Other documents as specified in your appointment instructions.
7️⃣Scheduling the USEM Interview: 📅🇺🇸
After you’ve completed the SLMC medical exam and fingerprinting, and after being Documentarily Qualified (DQ'd), NVC provides the interview date thru P4. K
What to Bring to the USEM Interview:
Valid passport (at least 6 months valid from your intended date of entry).
Visa fee receipt.
DS-260 confirmation page.
Packet 4 (P4) letter.
SLMC medical exam report (sealed).
I-140 approval notice.
Employment offer letter from the U.S. employer.
Any other required civil documents (birth certificates, police certificates, etc.).
Contact Information for USEM:
Phone number: +63-2-8548-8223 (for scheduling and inquiries).
Email: support-ph@ustraveldocs.com (for general inquiries).
8️⃣ PDOS stands for Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar. 🌍
It is a mandatory orientation seminar for all foreign workers and immigrants leaving the Philippines for employment or to live abroad. This seminar is organized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and is required before departing for the U.S. (or other countries) to ensure that emigrants are informed about their rights, responsibilities, and what to expect when living and working abroad.
** Purpose of PDOS:
1. Informational Session: PDOS provides valuable information
about living and working in the U.S. It covers topics such as:
a. Rights and responsibilities of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
b. Understanding the employment contract.
c. Legal rights and protections for workers abroad.
d. Health and welfare concerns.
e. The role of Philippine consulates and embassy in assisting
workers abroad.
f. Tips for adjusting to a new environment and culture.
2. Preparation for Departure: The seminar prepares emigrants for their life in the U.S. or another destination, focusing on personal safety, work ethics, and how to handle common challenges faced by foreign workers.
3. Requirements for Departure: For Filipino immigrants, the PDOS is required by the POEA before departure. This helps ensure that immigrants are not only prepared for their new life but also legally compliant with the government’s requirements.
** When Should You Attend PDOS?
>> You should attend the PDOS before your departure from the Philippines. After successfully completing the USEM (U.S. Embassy Manila) visa interview and getting your visa approved, you will be informed about the PDOS schedule.
>> The seminar typically takes place shortly before your scheduled flight to the U.S. or another country.
**How to Register for PDOS:
a. Registration: After your visa is approved, the POEA will provide instructions on how to register for the PDOS. You can register either online or through a POEA-accredited training provider.
b. Attend the Seminar: The PDOS is usually held in designated centers or POEA offices. The seminar typically takes half a day to a full day to complete.
c. Certificate of Completion: After attending the seminar, you will receive a certificate confirming your participation in the PDOS, which you must bring with you to the airport before departure.
