USEM INTERVIEW TODAY, DEC 9

[Princess_Maricar 0]

Had our interview today. Our day started out when we left the house at 4am and arrived at USEM before 5am.

5:00am - Immigrant visa applicants with a 6:30am interview were called to fall in line in front of the gate and present appointment letters with a valid ID (apparently, youngh children are exempt from the valid ID). We were then told to have a seat and wait to be told to enter the building.

6:00am - After what must've been like forever, we were allowed to through the gate and into the Embassy but not without again presenting the appointment letters and the valid ID. Alec and I were able to get a seat in the front row and thus was among the first to be given numbers. Appointment papers were again asked for prior to issuing numbers. Again told to have a seat and wait for our number to be flashed.

7:15am - We were called to Window 15. Greeted by a nice young Filipina who asked me my name and asked Alec her name. Asked who my petitioner was, when and where was he born, where he lived, what he did for a living, when and where we met, when we first met personally and how many times he has been to visit, when he last visited, and asked who his parents were. Asked for phone records, money remittances, wedding pictures and letters and emails. No NSO docs presented, no NBI's, no CENMAR/CENOMAR. Asked if support was being given via the bank and I said yes. Oh...asked too when we were married. Also asked if I was married to Alec's biologic father. Afll these in about 10 mins or so and I was asked to have a seat again and wait to be called for finger-scanning.

7:30am - Biometric finger-scanning done. Again, Alec was exempted from this. Told again to have a seat and await calling for the final interview.

8:20am - Called to Window 32. Interviewed by a kind middle-aged American gentleman. Greeted me by my married name and Alec as well. Of course, I greeted him back. Asked my petitioner's name, when we were married, how and when we met, when was his first visit and his next visit and if he has been back since our marriage. Asked if he was married before and if he had any children during that marriage. Gave me back the letters and emails, scanned thru our wedding album, then asked about Ryan's family, his mother and siblings, where they lived. Also asked what he did for a living....actually, he asked that twice. Scanned my DS-230 and asked what specialty I was practicing, which I answered accordingly. All the while during the interview and reviewing the docs before him he would pause at times to type into his computer. I asked if he needed my CENMAR (because I saw that the pre-screener had written that I did not have a CENMAR) and he said that he had my CENOMAR dated August 2007. Told him I had gotten a new one as per requirement and he took a look at it and gave it back, then typed some more, stamped our papers, then typed some more then finally closed the folders and told me, "Okay, ma'am, your visas are approved. You will be called again one last time at Window 37 where you will be given instructions." I smiled at him and thanked him..."Thank you very much!"...and left the cubicle trying to stop smiling. I was out of that room a little after 8:30am.

8:35am (or so) - called to Window 37 and given a pink slip Told to go to the Delbros counter and pay the delivery fee.

Was out of USEM at 8:50am

I am so very very happy!!!!! My OCD paid off quite well :D

Called Ryan soon as I got in the car and he has since posted on the IR/CR page and called my mother-in-law and posted also on the familt group site. Indeed a very, very Merry Christmas for me!!!!

Am offering a month-long thanksgiving at a church. God is oh so good! Praises be to Him!!!

Now...some notes to those yet to be interviewed....

1. Do not bring even a single electronic device into the embassy....not even a simple calculator. A lot of applicants had a problem with this.

2. Double-check that you have all necessary forms filled out. Some pre-screeners hav a short fuse and will blatantly let you know.

3. Pre-screeners ask for different things. Is better to have more than you think they will look for rather than not hand them anything when they ask for it. So check your papers...docs, proofs of relationship especially, and photos. They will always ask for photos.

4. Pay attention to the numbers being flashed on the screen. Numbers are not called in any particular order and if you miss your turn, you will have to wait a LOOOOOONG time before your number is called again. Plus, you will be awarded with the ire of the pre-screener or interviewer.

5. Bring a jacket, for those who are cold-intolerant. Dress appropriately. There were those who came in in jeans and sneakers and a pre-teen boy in long shorts and sneakers...there was even a man dressed in a plain shirt with an unbuttoned fatigue-print jacket and pants and sneakers. They are honestly not enticing to look at. Remember, your appearance already will create an impression on the pre-screener and the interviewer.

So...I can now sit back and await visa delivery, place my ticket reservations and start wrapping presents...not to mention start reviewing Alec for her exams

Thank you to everybody in this VJ Family...you have all been a big help and a big inspiration to me and Ryan.

To those still waiting.....just be patient...your time will come and you will be ready

Hmm....I believe we have just set a new record...from filing to approval...

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww congratst...im so touch for your success...im so happy every filipina got aproved..thats a blessing for you.

[STEPHnRIA 2]

Finally Gracey! Congratulations!!!

[honeybadger 0]

congrats!

have a safe trip soon!

[sasha414 0]

congratulations to you ! it was a well deserved approval and im wishing you the best in life. happy holidays.

[bevs 0]

congrats DOC, hope u get your visa so soon.

[ryandgracey 2]

Thank you all. This family has been a very helpful and supportive one. Here's wishing you all the best this holiday season, and all the best of luck and prayers in the coming years.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!!!

[bluemist 0]

Congrats Gracey!!!!

Best Christmas Present!!!!

[edp333 9]

Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience for others to read!! It is very helpful to those who are expecting their interview soon.

[KC♥MP 0]

Congratulations!!! :dance:

[Giskat09 2]

Had our interview today. Our day started out when we left the house at 4am and arrived at USEM before 5am.

5:00am - Immigrant visa applicants with a 6:30am interview were called to fall in line in front of the gate and present appointment letters with a valid ID (apparently, youngh children are exempt from the valid ID). We were then told to have a seat and wait to be told to enter the building.

6:00am - After what must've been like forever, we were allowed to through the gate and into the Embassy but not without again presenting the appointment letters and the valid ID. Alec and I were able to get a seat in the front row and thus was among the first to be given numbers. Appointment papers were again asked for prior to issuing numbers. Again told to have a seat and wait for our number to be flashed.

7:15am - We were called to Window 15. Greeted by a nice young Filipina who asked me my name and asked Alec her name. Asked who my petitioner was, when and where was he born, where he lived, what he did for a living, when and where we met, when we first met personally and how many times he has been to visit, when he last visited, and asked who his parents were. Asked for phone records, money remittances, wedding pictures and letters and emails. No NSO docs presented, no NBI's, no CENMAR/CENOMAR. Asked if support was being given via the bank and I said yes. Oh...asked too when we were married. Also asked if I was married to Alec's biologic father. Afll these in about 10 mins or so and I was asked to have a seat again and wait to be called for finger-scanning.

7:30am - Biometric finger-scanning done. Again, Alec was exempted from this. Told again to have a seat and await calling for the final interview.

8:20am - Called to Window 32. Interviewed by a kind middle-aged American gentleman. Greeted me by my married name and Alec as well. Of course, I greeted him back. Asked my petitioner's name, when we were married, how and when we met, when was his first visit and his next visit and if he has been back since our marriage. Asked if he was married before and if he had any children during that marriage. Gave me back the letters and emails, scanned thru our wedding album, then asked about Ryan's family, his mother and siblings, where they lived. Also asked what he did for a living....actually, he asked that twice. Scanned my DS-230 and asked what specialty I was practicing, which I answered accordingly. All the while during the interview and reviewing the docs before him he would pause at times to type into his computer. I asked if he needed my CENMAR (because I saw that the pre-screener had written that I did not have a CENMAR) and he said that he had my CENOMAR dated August 2007. Told him I had gotten a new one as per requirement and he took a look at it and gave it back, then typed some more, stamped our papers, then typed some more then finally closed the folders and told me, "Okay, ma'am, your visas are approved. You will be called again one last time at Window 37 where you will be given instructions." I smiled at him and thanked him..."Thank you very much!"...and left the cubicle trying to stop smiling. I was out of that room a little after 8:30am.

8:35am (or so) - called to Window 37 and given a pink slip Told to go to the Delbros counter and pay the delivery fee.

Was out of USEM at 8:50am

I am so very very happy!!!!! My OCD paid off quite well

Called Ryan soon as I got in the car and he has since posted on the IR/CR page and called my mother-in-law and posted also on the familt group site. Indeed a very, very Merry Christmas for me!!!!

Am offering a month-long thanksgiving at a church. God is oh so good! Praises be to Him!!!

Now...some notes to those yet to be interviewed....

1. Do not bring even a single electronic device into the embassy....not even a simple calculator. A lot of applicants had a problem with this.

2. Double-check that you have all necessary forms filled out. Some pre-screeners hav a short fuse and will blatantly let you know.

3. Pre-screeners ask for different things. Is better to have more than you think they will look for rather than not hand them anything when they ask for it. So check your papers...docs, proofs of relationship especially, and photos. They will always ask for photos.

4. Pay attention to the numbers being flashed on the screen. Numbers are not called in any particular order and if you miss your turn, you will have to wait a LOOOOOONG time before your number is called again. Plus, you will be awarded with the ire of the pre-screener or interviewer.

5. Bring a jacket, for those who are cold-intolerant. Dress appropriately. There were those who came in in jeans and sneakers and a pre-teen boy in long shorts and sneakers...there was even a man dressed in a plain shirt with an unbuttoned fatigue-print jacket and pants and sneakers. They are honestly not enticing to look at. Remember, your appearance already will create an impression on the pre-screener and the interviewer.

So...I can now sit back and await visa delivery, place my ticket reservations and start wrapping presents...not to mention start reviewing Alec for her exams

Thank you to everybody in this VJ Family...you have all been a big help and a big inspiration to me and Ryan.

To those still waiting.....just be patient...your time will come and you will be ready

Hmm....I believe we have just set a new record...from filing to approval...

FAR OUT! FINALLY YOU MADE IT! IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU