Friday, February 18, 2011

B1/B2 visa issues at Manila Embassy

MU has had several clients inform us that the Manila Embassy has been denying B1/B2 visas to applicants who need the B1/B2 visa in order to come to the US and sit for the National Physical Therapist Exam (NPTE). MU is working with the Department of State in order to try and solve the problem. The problem stems from the Embassy's misinterpretation of the recent Georgia decision and the need for an NPTE in advance of licensure.

If you have had your B1/B2 denied at the Consulate because the officer mistakenly believes that the NPTE is not required for PT licensure please either add your comment to the MU Healthcare Immigration Law blog, our Facebook page, or email Chris Musillo or Cindy Unkenholt.

42 comments:

  1. Hi there! I'm actually one of the unfortunate Filipino Physical Therapists who got denied for a Tourist Visa because of the so-called "new policy" by the US Embassy here in Manila.

    I'm basically all set to sit for the May 25 NPTE-i and all I need is just a Tourist visa. But then during my interview with the consul, and being able to present all the documents she asked from me(i.e ATT,Prometric Confirmation,FCCPT type 1 certificate,etc)and being able to answer all her questions convincingly, she surprisingly mentioned this "new policy". According to her, this "new policy" states that we foreign PTs don't need to take the NPTE anymore and what should I do is ask my employer to file me an H1B visa immediately instead of a tourist visa. I showed her the Georgia Court Order and asked if that was the one she was talking about but replied that it's a different policy. I reasoned out that USCIS still requires us to pass first our licensure exam before being filed for a working visa and also Texas Board of PT won't allow me to practice in their state if I don't still have a license. Furthermore, I even also told the consul that I checked the website of the USCIS, FSBPT and Texas Board of PT(state where I'm applying for a license) few hours before going to the Embassy but did not find that policy she was talking about. But she still insisted that I just have to come back for my H1b visa interview.

    So in conclusion, I end up having no tourist visa that day.

    However, upon seeing this blog/news from MU Law Firm, I felt glad that this misinterpretation by the consuls here in Manila is put into notice. I just hope and pray that this will be resolved as soon as possible to give me a chance to sit for the NPTE-i this coming May 25,2011. May God bless us all..

    More power to Musillo Unkenholt LLC.

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  2. I was also denied of the B1/B2 visa I needed for the May 25, 2011 NPTE-i. The facts and documents that could have given me leverage for the visa weren't asked from me. I'm not sure if it was just a coincidence but I was interviewed the day after the Georgia decision came out.

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  3. Hi Pinoy PT: Thanks for your comments. We are working with the DOS to try and solve this critical issue in time to allow you and your fellow PTs time to enter the US for the NPTE-i.

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  4. Hi k-lightgirl: My sense is that it was more than a coincidence, and that the DOS has misinterpreted the Georgia decision. As soon as we hear that the policy has been righted, we will post it here on the MU Blog and on the Mu Facebook page. Thanks for your comments.

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  5. wasn't also given a visa because of the new regulation in the US for PTs, that is, a b1 nor b2 visa is no longer needed to take the NPTE. There were actually no questions asked aside from my intention of going there. I tried butting in that the policy is meant only for Georgia applicants thinking that he was referring to the Georgia's decision. But he said, it is meant for all across the states. So I just thanked him and that I respect his decision as he kept telling me that his decision is final. So sad that they decide based on their very limited knowledge of the issue.

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  6. is there really such a new regulation or simply a misinterpretation of Georgia's decision? I am thinking they might have a strong bases of their decision...well, just giving them the benefit of the doubt...:)

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  7. i think they are just making it up for those reasons knowing that we pinoys might end up as TNTs when we are already there. Just pray that they'll change their minds or still give the exams outside the Phils. if they fear pinoys will become TNTs in their country.

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  8. my friend got denied on feb 8 before the GA ruling and the lady consul stated that she doesn't need to apply for a tourist visa because employers can directly file for a working visa without passing the NPTE.

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  9. Hi, I read the GA court decision several times and it does not mention any visa at all. I don't think it has something to do with the GA ruling.

    I don't understand whats that new policy. Does anyone here knows whats that policy?

    Does anyone here got an approved US tourist visa to take NPTE? If none, there's an issue here. If someone was able to get visa to take NPTE, then there's no issue here.

    My embassy interview will be on March 1. I'll try my luck and let you know what will happen.

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  10. I backed out and wait for the December NPTEi...good luck sa lahat, hope they resolve this soonest...

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  11. My visa was denied this morning because of that policy. Anyone here got approved visa?

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  12. we are supposed to have our interview today. my agency gave as an option to show or not to show bec. all of our candidates who had their interview yesterday got denied. i decided not to go. i hope that the real issue here will be resolved soon. Godspeed to us all!

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  13. Anny updates???? Im scheduled for embassy interview next month.

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  14. the content of your blog are just really great. Good info and interesting indeed. These new policies are making it hard.

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    ReplyDelete
  15. This is very helpful post. does they also provide Working Visa. I really require that.

    Singapore Work Visas
    http://www.one-visa.com/

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  17. Are there updates regarding B visa applications at the US Embassy in Manila? Are the consuls already approving visas for PTs who need to take the NPTE? If not, what is the best option to take?

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