Visa Approved

[TnJ 131]

We arrived at the embassy around 6:30AM. Many people were there that day. The guards did a nice job of rounding people up for the appropriate lines and visas. Our interview appointment was 7:30 so we were a second batch of people to be processed through the lines. We got inside rather quickly. It was maybe 7AM, and we were already inside. The first thing before going inside was to present passport, appointment confirmation, and DS forms (as I write this, the embassy updated to include DS-230 last month, but we never needed it. Strange). We were given our number. The passport was given a bar code sticker and placed in plastic bag. Once inside, we did wait for over 2 hours before our number was called. Since much of the communication was in tagalog, I didn't realize much of what was being told to Jessa. I have read many times to go to window 39 first in the reviews. However, we were never told that. We were just told to wait for the number to flash. Anyway, a greeter kindly explained the mishap to us, wrote our number down, and we went through all the rest with ease. In our case, the first window we approached was the Filipino pre-screener. She asked several basic questions about us: When did you meet? How did you meet? How many times did I visit? When did I arrive for the last visit? The greeter had collected our DS forms since we never went to window 39 for the drop off so the pre-screener had these in hand. She did ask for my I-134 with my most current W2s and 1040. That was it. She asked if we had photos and told us to be prepared to show those along with any other relationship evidence to the CO. We sat back down. Maybe 10-15 minutes later, we were called for finger print scanning. Then, we sat back down for about another 15 minutes. We went to window 59 to be greeted by the CO. She gave us the oath and started asking questions. She asked what year did we meet. She asked me what I did for a living and how many times had I visited PH. That was about it! She handed a flyer over for domestic violence awareness and told us we are approved! The CO and the pre-screener never asked for any evidence. I did front load the petition a little. However, I expected to show at least some photos. Overall, it went well, and we can't complain. We will be together for good very soon. Thank GOD for all success.

[cazzers 83]

[SteveKarlaMayer 21]

Kudos! Glory to God, indeed!

[Vicomi 31]

Congratulations and best wishes with the rest of your journey (F)

[Memphis 26]

Great news.. Congrats!

[glenmar 34]

Congratulations.!! :thumbs:

[Chelliot 1]

Congratulations!!! We are so happy for you!

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Awesome news, huge congrats goes to you both!!

[samename 28]

Congrats,very happy for you.

[wilfon 30]

We arrived at the embassy around 6:30AM. Many people were there that day. The guards did a nice job of rounding people up for the appropriate lines and visas. Our interview appointment was 7:30 so we were a second batch of people to be processed through the lines. We got inside rather quickly. It was maybe 7AM, and we were already inside. The first thing before going inside was to present passport, appointment confirmation, and DS forms (as I write this, the embassy updated to include DS-230 last month, but we never needed it. Strange). We were given our number. The passport was given a bar code sticker and placed in plastic bag. Once inside, we did wait for over 2 hours before our number was called. Since much of the communication was in tagalog, I didn't realize much of what was being told to Jessa. I have read many times to go to window 39 first in the reviews. However, we were never told that. We were just told to wait for the number to flash. Anyway, a greeter kindly explained the mishap to us, wrote our number down, and we went through all the rest with ease. In our case, the first window we approached was the Filipino pre-screener. She asked several basic questions about us: When did you meet? How did you meet? How many times did I visit? When did I arrive for the last visit? The greeter had collected our DS forms since we never went to window 39 for the drop off so the pre-screener had these in hand. She did ask for my I-134 with my most current W2s and 1040. That was it. She asked if we had photos and told us to be prepared to show those along with any other relationship evidence to the CO. We sat back down. Maybe 10-15 minutes later, we were called for finger print scanning. Then, we sat back down for about another 15 minutes. We went to window 59 to be greeted by the CO. She gave us the oath and started asking questions. She asked what year did we meet. She asked me what I did for a living and how many times had I visited PH. That was about it! She handed a flyer over for domestic violence awareness and told us we are approved! The CO and the pre-screener never asked for any evidence. I did front load the petition a little. However, I expected to show at least some photos. Overall, it went well, and we can't complain. We will be together for good very soon. Thank GOD for all success.

Congratulations. It sounds like it helped that your fiance was there with you I plan on being there for my fiance's interview. Best Wishes to you guys.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Congrats! :dance:

Interesting about the DS-230, so you still have the DS-230 or did they take it when they gathered the other DS forms? Yet on the embassy website they are making like if you don't have all the DS forms they will require you to leave and complete them and if you can't return quick enough you will have to reschedule. Wonder if the embassy has an "internal date" before they will be looking for the DS-230.

[Dirk 30]

We arrived at the embassy around 6:30AM. Many people were there that day. The guards did a nice job of rounding people up for the appropriate lines and visas. Our interview appointment was 7:30 so we were a second batch of people to be processed through the lines. We got inside rather quickly. It was maybe 7AM, and we were already inside. The first thing before going inside was to present passport, appointment confirmation, and DS forms (as I write this, the embassy updated to include DS-230 last month, but we never needed it. Strange). We were given our number. The passport was given a bar code sticker and placed in plastic bag. Once inside, we did wait for over 2 hours before our number was called. Since much of the communication was in tagalog, I didn't realize much of what was being told to Jessa. I have read many times to go to window 39 first in the reviews. However, we were never told that. We were just told to wait for the number to flash. Anyway, a greeter kindly explained the mishap to us, wrote our number down, and we went through all the rest with ease. In our case, the first window we approached was the Filipino pre-screener. She asked several basic questions about us: When did you meet? How did you meet? How many times did I visit? When did I arrive for the last visit? The greeter had collected our DS forms since we never went to window 39 for the drop off so the pre-screener had these in hand. She did ask for my I-134 with my most current W2s and 1040. That was it. She asked if we had photos and told us to be prepared to show those along with any other relationship evidence to the CO. We sat back down. Maybe 10-15 minutes later, we were called for finger print scanning. Then, we sat back down for about another 15 minutes. We went to window 59 to be greeted by the CO. She gave us the oath and started asking questions. She asked what year did we meet. She asked me what I did for a living and how many times had I visited PH. That was about it! She handed a flyer over for domestic violence awareness and told us we are approved! The CO and the pre-screener never asked for any evidence. I did front load the petition a little. However, I expected to show at least some photos. Overall, it went well, and we can't complain. We will be together for good very soon. Thank GOD for all success.

Congrats, you were in same group as my fiance, she was hard to miss she was the very pregant one... I just did a check on her passport status and it is already at the Picked Up stage what ever that means

[MarMire 2]

Congrats !!!!!!!

[TatTot 7]

This is indeed a great Christmas gift for the both of you! Congratulations Todd and Jessa! :dance: God bless and best wishes!

[TnJ 131]

Thanks to all! Dirk, I think Jessa might have noticed your fiancee. I wasn't too aware of much because I have been a bit sick the last few days. It was hard for me to even stay awake while sitting around there with this medicine I have been taking.

Congrats! :dance:

Interesting about the DS-230, so you still have the DS-230 or did they take it when they gathered the other DS forms? Yet on the embassy website they are making like if you don't have all the DS forms they will require you to leave and complete them and if you can't return quick enough you will have to reschedule. Wonder if the embassy has an "internal date" before they will be looking for the DS-230.

Thanks Hank! Yeah, I was wondering about some "internal date" as well. This is the only thing that makes any sense to me. Jessa and I didn't even catch the DS-230 requirement until I read a recent thread that you were commenting in. I checked the new instructions, and sure enough, it was listed. We filled it out and printed it at the last minute. However, yes, we still have the form. It was never asked for with the other DS forms so maybe a memo of some sort will be passed around for an effective date?