Interview tips, observations and suggestions

[beng_and_carl 0]

Based on my interview experience last Jan 8, 2008… here are my tips, observations and suggestions:

1. Most convenient time to arrive at the Embassy is around 5.30AM. You won’t need to wait outside for so long and spend P20 to rent a chair. Just wait at the area in front of the Miramar Hotel. If your appointment time is 6.30AM, it’s still ok to arrive there around 5.30AM. The embassy guards start to call around 5.45-6AM.

2. Eat enough breakfast before going to your Big Day! Bring some candies or chewing gum to refresh your mouth. Your fellow applicants won’t be happy if they will smell a fouling odor from your mouth. Hehe! Just a friendly reminder. You can also bring a bottle of water inside coz it’s expensive to buy inside the embassy.

3. It is suggested to wear a business attire – blouse with collar and slacks. This is to show that the embassy staff and officers that you mean business and this will also confidence. Put some make up but not too much.

4. When the guards start calling you based on your appointment time, prepare your appointment letter and a valid ID with picture. NBI clearance is accepted.

5. Just follow the line and you will get inside the embassy premises in few minutes.

6. NEVER BRING any ELECTRONIC GADGET with your like mobile phones, USB, memory cards, charger, camera and the like. They will send you outside if they saw something in your baggage from their electronic scanner (like the one in the airports).

7. Once you are inside the embassy building, you may sit down at the blue chairs and wait for the guard for the instructions or signal for you to fall in line.

8. Be patient! Remember that patience is a virtue. After all, you will be done with the K1/K3 journey in few more hours.

9. The guard will call the K applicants by row (blue chairs). Then, you will be directed to the Priority Number window. You will then be asked to submit your duly accomplished DS Forms (2 DS156 with BARCODE and PICTURE GLUED on it –with printed name, signature & date of interview at the back; 2 DS 157 – 1 on-line or from the packet and 1 from the bank with a validation code; 1 DS 156K – you can write the name of your fiancé at the lower portion of this form). Then, they will give you a priority number that you will use for the rest of the of interview proceedings. Keep your queuing number and don’t give it to the windows where you will be called. Then, have a seat and wait for your number to FLASHED at the BOARDS inside the embassy.

10. My name was called for the finger scanning – not my queuing number. So be attentive all the time. But you can chat with your seatmates, VJ sisters and fellow applicants but be attentive!

11. On finger scanning, make sure that your fingers are clean and dry. Follow the instructions carefully.

12. Have a seat and wait for your number to be flashed on the boards for the pre-screening with a Filipino officer.

13. For the pre-screening session with a Filipino officer, greet him with your smile and compose yourself. For my case, he spoke to me in Tagalog so it’s easier. And I heard from the others that they were talking as well in Tagalog. But the thing is, if they ask you in Tagalog, answer them in Tagalog. If in English, then answer them in English. Listen carefully with his questions and answer them clearly and you may give them supporting documents for your answer such as your SO’s employment record, tax documents, photos, communication correspondences, etc. Then, he will instruct you to sit down and wait for your number to be flashed on the boards again.

14. On arranging your documents, it must be organized, neatly done and easy to access. If you will use clear books or folders like I did, it should be also HALF an INCH thick, with cover page and tabs on the side for easy reference. I will post a picture of my folders here soon.

15. While waiting for your number to be flashed on the boards, internalize the basic and personal information about your SO, your relationship and everything about you (you and your SO). Remember all the happy moments with your SO and start

16. They will start calling the K applicants around 10.15-10.30 AM and it will start with queuing number 7001. With this, compose yourself, have some retouch with your make-up or powder and PRAY HARD!!!

17. And now, it’s the time for the consular interview. TAKE A DEEP BREATH and release all your nervousness and worries before entering the room of the consul.

18. Greet the consul with a smile. If there’s any occasion in line like Christmas, New Year, etc, don’t hesitate to greet him/her. In this way, you will add a happy ambience for your interview. Let the consul start the conversation. In answering the questions, look into her eyes to establish eye contact. For questions that you really don’t know the answer, simply say, “I don’t know the answer for the moment” or “We never talked about that yet.” The consul knows if you are lying. So, answer truthfully. You may present additional documents or folders for your answers as supporting docs. if the question needs to answered with Yes or No, simply answer with a Yes or No. If the consul asks for your SO's job, simply state his job and company. At the end of the interview session, you may ask the consul politely if you’re approved though I didn’t do this she told that my documents are fine and they will just do some document verification. Then, thank the consul and exit properly.

19. While waiting for your number to called in Windows 37 or 38, thank God for a wonderful time with the consul.

20. When you’re called at Window 37 or 38, they will give you a pink slip, your appointment letter, another document from the embassy, all the documents that you submitted to them earlier like photos, communication correspondences, etc. Then, they will tell you that wait for few weeks coz they need to do some document verification. This time, if you paid beforehand the P650 document verification fee in Metrobank, show them the original copy of the deposit slip and give them a photocopy of it. Have the receipt photocopied before you go to your interview, which I forgot to do. Hehe! Then, include on the paper the ff details: date of your interview, case number, passport number, petitioner’s name and beneficiary’s name. Then, thanked them.

21. If you will need a visa pick up, prepare a letter before the interview. This letter must be addressed to the Consular Officer and you may give it to the consul before you leave his room and ask him if you can do a visa pick up. If the consul didn’t approve it, try again and ask the officer at Windows 37 or 38 and present to them your letter or request and wait for the result of your request.

22. For visa delivery, pay at the Delbros booth. They will give you a sheet of paper that you will fill up. Put your delivery address – your residence or office address. Then, pay the P165 delivery fee.

23. Exit the Embassy with a short thanksgiving prayer and wear your sunglasses if it’s hot outside. CALL YOUR SO and tell him/her your good news! Then, call/tx your loved ones! Woooohhhhhhooooooo!!!!!!

24. Post your interview experience, tips and suggestions here in VJ! Yebah! Hehe!!!

[pinktulips2012 1]

Based on my interview experience last Jan 8, 2008… here are my tips, observations and suggestions:

1. Most convenient time to arrive at the Embassy is around 5.30AM. You won’t need to wait outside for so long and spend P20 to rent a chair. Just wait at the area in front of the Miramar Hotel. If your appointment time is 6.30AM, it’s still ok to arrive there around 5.30AM. The embassy guards start to call around 5.45-6AM.

2. Eat enough breakfast before going to your Big Day! Bring some candies or chewing gum to refresh your mouth. Your fellow applicants won’t be happy if they will smell a fouling odor from your mouth. Hehe! Just a friendly reminder. You can also bring a bottle of water inside coz it’s expensive to buy inside the embassy.

3. It is suggested to wear a business attire – blouse with collar and slacks. This is to show that the embassy staff and officers that you mean business and this will also confidence. Put some make up but not too much.

4. When the guards start calling you based on your appointment time, prepare your appointment letter and a valid ID with picture. NBI clearance is accepted.

5. Just follow the line and you will get inside the embassy premises in few minutes.

6. NEVER BRING any ELECTRONIC GADGET with your like mobile phones, USB, memory cards, charger, camera and the like. They will send you outside if they saw something in your baggage from their electronic scanner (like the one in the airports).

7. Once you are inside the embassy building, you may sit down at the blue chairs and wait for the guard for the instructions or signal for you to fall in line.

8. Be patient! Remember that patience is a virtue. After all, you will be done with the K1/K3 journey in few more hours.

9. The guard will call the K applicants by row (blue chairs). Then, you will be directed to the Priority Number window. You will then be asked to submit your duly accomplished DS Forms (2 DS156 with BARCODE and PICTURE GLUED on it –with printed name, signature & date of interview at the back; 2 DS 157 – 1 on-line or from the packet and 1 from the bank with a validation code; 1 DS 156K – you can write the name of your fiancé at the lower portion of this form). Then, they will give you a priority number that you will use for the rest of the of interview proceedings. Keep your queuing number and don’t give it to the windows where you will be called. Then, have a seat and wait for your number to FLASHED at the BOARDS inside the embassy.

10. My name was called for the finger scanning – not my queuing number. So be attentive all the time. But you can chat with your seatmates, VJ sisters and fellow applicants but be attentive!

11. On finger scanning, make sure that your fingers are clean and dry. Follow the instructions carefully.

12. Have a seat and wait for your number to be flashed on the boards for the pre-screening with a Filipino officer.

13. For the pre-screening session with a Filipino officer, greet him with your smile and compose yourself. For my case, he spoke to me in Tagalog so it’s easier. And I heard from the others that they were talking as well in Tagalog. But the thing is, if they ask you in Tagalog, answer them in Tagalog. If in English, then answer them in English. Listen carefully with his questions and answer them clearly and you may give them supporting documents for your answer such as your SO’s employment record, tax documents, photos, communication correspondences, etc. Then, he will instruct you to sit down and wait for your number to be flashed on the boards again.

14. On arranging your documents, it must be organized, neatly done and easy to access. If you will use clear books or folders like I did, it should be also HALF an INCH thick, with cover page and tabs on the side for easy reference. I will post a picture of my folders here soon.

15. While waiting for your number to be flashed on the boards, internalize the basic and personal information about your SO, your relationship and everything about you (you and your SO). Remember all the happy moments with your SO and start

16. They will start calling the K applicants around 10.15-10.30 AM and it will start with queuing number 7001. With this, compose yourself, have some retouch with your make-up or powder and PRAY HARD!!!

17. And now, it’s the time for the consular interview. TAKE A DEEP BREATH and release all your nervousness and worries before entering the room of the consul.

18. Greet the consul with a smile. If there’s any occasion in line like Christmas, New Year, etc, don’t hesitate to greet him/her. In this way, you will add a happy ambience for your interview. Let the consul start the conversation. In answering the questions, look into her eyes to establish eye contact. For questions that you really don’t know the answer, simply say, “I don’t know the answer for the moment” or “We never talked about that yet.” The consul knows if you are lying. So, answer truthfully. You may present additional documents or folders for your answers as supporting docs. if the question needs to answered with Yes or No, simply answer with a Yes or No. If the consul asks for your SO's job, simply state his job and company. At the end of the interview session, you may ask the consul politely if you’re approved though I didn’t do this she told that my documents are fine and they will just do some document verification. Then, thank the consul and exit properly.

19. While waiting for your number to called in Windows 37 or 38, thank God for a wonderful time with the consul.

20. When you’re called at Window 37 or 38, they will give you a pink slip, your appointment letter, another document from the embassy, all the documents that you submitted to them earlier like photos, communication correspondences, etc. Then, they will tell you that wait for few weeks coz they need to do some document verification. This time, if you paid beforehand the P650 document verification fee in Metrobank, show them the original copy of the deposit slip and give them a photocopy of it. Have the receipt photocopied before you go to your interview, which I forgot to do. Hehe! Then, include on the paper the ff details: date of your interview, case number, passport number, petitioner’s name and beneficiary’s name. Then, thanked them.

21. If you will need a visa pick up, prepare a letter before the interview. This letter must be addressed to the Consular Officer and you may give it to the consul before you leave his room and ask him if you can do a visa pick up. If the consul didn’t approve it, try again and ask the officer at Windows 37 or 38 and present to them your letter or request and wait for the result of your request.

22. For visa delivery, pay at the Delbros booth. They will give you a sheet of paper that you will fill up. Put your delivery address – your residence or office address. Then, pay the P165 delivery fee.

23. Exit the Embassy with a short thanksgiving prayer and wear your sunglasses if it’s hot outside. CALL YOUR SO and tell him/her your good news! Then, call/tx your loved ones! Woooohhhhhhooooooo!!!!!!

24. Post your interview experience, tips and suggestions here in VJ! Yebah! Hehe!!!

[jayzar 1]

To Bheng and Carl,

This is such a nice post, a great help for everyone, especially those who'll be having theit interview.

-jyz

[DeeZee 0]

Thanks Beng and Carl for the very detailed post! This would certainly help those with upcoming interviews.

I have a question regarding number 20. You wrote there that at window 37/38, they give you another document from the embassy? Which one is that in particular? I think I only got pink slip and appointment letter.

[Roserick 0]

Any suggestions for CR/IR Interviews?

I'm pretty sure its almost the same as K Interviews, other than we don't have to submit does DS156 Affidavit of Support..

[jayzar 1]

@Roserick,

hi, we are under the same category. Those DSforms taht kfilers have confused me before. After collecting myself again, i realized we already submitted it to NVC, and the Affidavit of Support as well. So there would be no need to bring those on our interview. I wish I'm correct.

-jyz

[Roserick 0]

@Roserick,

hi, we are under the same category. Those DSforms taht kfilers have confused me before. After collecting myself again, i realized we already submitted it to NVC, and the Affidavit of Support as well. So there would be no need to bring those on our interview. I wish I'm correct.

-jyz

That's what I said.. We don't have to bring does.. Cause we already submitted them on the NVC process..

Actually I was told we don't have to bring BC, MC, (NSO docs), NBI, etc. Since they already have em.. We are just suggested to bring em in case there is an issue..

You always prepare for the worst case scenario you know..

What we are suppose to bring is Evidence of bona fide marriage.. Like Pictures, Siblings US passports, Love letters, Phone call list, etc..

Its basically proof of marriage...

Edited January 10, 2008 by Roserick

[jayzar 1]

GOT ALL THE DOCUMENTS READY!!! thanks for th reminder Roserick!

all i need to do now, is PRAY. and thank God that after the 9 weeks delay that I encountered, IM BACK IN THE PROCESS AGAIN!

-jyz

[Roserick 0]

GOT ALL THE DOCUMENTS READY!!! thanks for th reminder Roserick!

all i need to do now, is PRAY. and thank God that after the 9 weeks delay that I encountered, IM BACK IN THE PROCESS AGAIN!

-jyz

Where are you now in the process? Cause your timeline seem to not have information..

I am also preparing a folder for my wife.. Just simple and organize. I don't want to be to fancy.

[jayzar 1]

I have not made my timeline. Im so sorry.

I'll have my interview on wednesday, January 16.

and yours?

[Roserick 0]

I have not made my timeline. Im so sorry.

I'll have my interview on wednesday, January 16.

and yours?

WoW!! Congratulations and good luck on your interview!! Do share us your the experience..

I am hoping for a Feb Interview.. Just got a Case Complete last week..

What I said earlier was from Completed IR Applicants I have spoken too..

[jayzar 1]

oh, thanks for sharing.

Yes i will post what will happen on my interview. Im excited and nervous all at the same time. NOW. hehehe

My hsuband wont be coming home for my interview. but will pick me up by Feb and spent his vacation too.

excited.nervous.paranoid.

-jyz

[edp333 9]

Thanks for taking the time to write and post such a great experience.

[ram^analise 0]

>>> 14. On arranging your documents, it must be organized, neatly done and easy to access. If you will use clear books or folders like I did, it should be also HALF an INCH thick, with cover page and tabs on the side for easy reference. I will post a picture of my folders here soon. <<<

hi beng & carl,

thanks for your detailed post.

i am just curious about item #14. how important it is to use half an inch thick folders? i have started organizing my documents and i have them in about 1" thick folders. if i can remember it right, i read some posts in the past that recommended that thickness of documents should not be more than 2".

please advise and thanks.

btw, what class are you in lb? i am class '94, bsa.

congratulations to both of you.

ram & analise

[marie_9 0]

PERFECT!!! very informative, salamat and congrats!

Based on my interview experience last Jan 8, 2008… here are my tips, observations and suggestions:

1. Most convenient time to arrive at the Embassy is around 5.30AM. You won’t need to wait outside for so long and spend P20 to rent a chair. Just wait at the area in front of the Miramar Hotel. If your appointment time is 6.30AM, it’s still ok to arrive there around 5.30AM. The embassy guards start to call around 5.45-6AM.

2. Eat enough breakfast before going to your Big Day! Bring some candies or chewing gum to refresh your mouth. Your fellow applicants won’t be happy if they will smell a fouling odor from your mouth. Hehe! Just a friendly reminder. You can also bring a bottle of water inside coz it’s expensive to buy inside the embassy.

3. It is suggested to wear a business attire – blouse with collar and slacks. This is to show that the embassy staff and officers that you mean business and this will also confidence. Put some make up but not too much.

4. When the guards start calling you based on your appointment time, prepare your appointment letter and a valid ID with picture. NBI clearance is accepted.

5. Just follow the line and you will get inside the embassy premises in few minutes.

6. NEVER BRING any ELECTRONIC GADGET with your like mobile phones, USB, memory cards, charger, camera and the like. They will send you outside if they saw something in your baggage from their electronic scanner (like the one in the airports).

7. Once you are inside the embassy building, you may sit down at the blue chairs and wait for the guard for the instructions or signal for you to fall in line.

8. Be patient! Remember that patience is a virtue. After all, you will be done with the K1/K3 journey in few more hours.

9. The guard will call the K applicants by row (blue chairs). Then, you will be directed to the Priority Number window. You will then be asked to submit your duly accomplished DS Forms (2 DS156 with BARCODE and PICTURE GLUED on it –with printed name, signature & date of interview at the back; 2 DS 157 – 1 on-line or from the packet and 1 from the bank with a validation code; 1 DS 156K – you can write the name of your fiancé at the lower portion of this form). Then, they will give you a priority number that you will use for the rest of the of interview proceedings. Keep your queuing number and don’t give it to the windows where you will be called. Then, have a seat and wait for your number to FLASHED at the BOARDS inside the embassy.

10. My name was called for the finger scanning – not my queuing number. So be attentive all the time. But you can chat with your seatmates, VJ sisters and fellow applicants but be attentive!

11. On finger scanning, make sure that your fingers are clean and dry. Follow the instructions carefully.

12. Have a seat and wait for your number to be flashed on the boards for the pre-screening with a Filipino officer.

13. For the pre-screening session with a Filipino officer, greet him with your smile and compose yourself. For my case, he spoke to me in Tagalog so it’s easier. And I heard from the others that they were talking as well in Tagalog. But the thing is, if they ask you in Tagalog, answer them in Tagalog. If in English, then answer them in English. Listen carefully with his questions and answer them clearly and you may give them supporting documents for your answer such as your SO’s employment record, tax documents, photos, communication correspondences, etc. Then, he will instruct you to sit down and wait for your number to be flashed on the boards again.

14. On arranging your documents, it must be organized, neatly done and easy to access. If you will use clear books or folders like I did, it should be also HALF an INCH thick, with cover page and tabs on the side for easy reference. I will post a picture of my folders here soon.

15. While waiting for your number to be flashed on the boards, internalize the basic and personal information about your SO, your relationship and everything about you (you and your SO). Remember all the happy moments with your SO and start

16. They will start calling the K applicants around 10.15-10.30 AM and it will start with queuing number 7001. With this, compose yourself, have some retouch with your make-up or powder and PRAY HARD!!!

17. And now, it’s the time for the consular interview. TAKE A DEEP BREATH and release all your nervousness and worries before entering the room of the consul.

18. Greet the consul with a smile. If there’s any occasion in line like Christmas, New Year, etc, don’t hesitate to greet him/her. In this way, you will add a happy ambience for your interview. Let the consul start the conversation. In answering the questions, look into her eyes to establish eye contact. For questions that you really don’t know the answer, simply say, “I don’t know the answer for the moment” or “We never talked about that yet.” The consul knows if you are lying. So, answer truthfully. You may present additional documents or folders for your answers as supporting docs. if the question needs to answered with Yes or No, simply answer with a Yes or No. If the consul asks for your SO's job, simply state his job and company. At the end of the interview session, you may ask the consul politely if you’re approved though I didn’t do this she told that my documents are fine and they will just do some document verification. Then, thank the consul and exit properly.

19. While waiting for your number to called in Windows 37 or 38, thank God for a wonderful time with the consul.

20. When you’re called at Window 37 or 38, they will give you a pink slip, your appointment letter, another document from the embassy, all the documents that you submitted to them earlier like photos, communication correspondences, etc. Then, they will tell you that wait for few weeks coz they need to do some document verification. This time, if you paid beforehand the P650 document verification fee in Metrobank, show them the original copy of the deposit slip and give them a photocopy of it. Have the receipt photocopied before you go to your interview, which I forgot to do. Hehe! Then, include on the paper the ff details: date of your interview, case number, passport number, petitioner’s name and beneficiary’s name. Then, thanked them.

21. If you will need a visa pick up, prepare a letter before the interview. This letter must be addressed to the Consular Officer and you may give it to the consul before you leave his room and ask him if you can do a visa pick up. If the consul didn’t approve it, try again and ask the officer at Windows 37 or 38 and present to them your letter or request and wait for the result of your request.

22. For visa delivery, pay at the Delbros booth. They will give you a sheet of paper that you will fill up. Put your delivery address – your residence or office address. Then, pay the P165 delivery fee.

23. Exit the Embassy with a short thanksgiving prayer and wear your sunglasses if it’s hot outside. CALL YOUR SO and tell him/her your good news! Then, call/tx your loved ones! Woooohhhhhhooooooo!!!!!!

24. Post your interview experience, tips and suggestions here in VJ! Yebah! Hehe!!!