Manila Embassy Interview

[john_and_marlene 162]

hi folks!

and so im back from my call yesterday and as expected i failed. lol... i called around 7:25-7:35 on my watch and the operator said the embassy is still closed... i called around 7:40 and then its starting to get busy until luckily a guy answered the phone and i asked if i could inquire for our K1 visa status and suddenly he said WRONG NUMBER! +63-2-5286300! wrong number for whom??? we're just so very concerned/ worried that our file might be lost ... my fiance called them now but again busy... so now we've got another question, if we cant call them, why not go personally and ask? but would that be possible if we'll just go to the embassy and ask for our case status? anyone tried that??? nvc sent our case last sept. 18 and i should've gotten a notice (that they have our case) by now right? thanks and we'll keep you posted

If you didn't call an extension, you were talking to the main reception. Either use one of the immigrant visa section extensions or ask to be connected to the immigrant visa section.

[RonMay 1]

How would we know if the embassy received our case? What number to call in manila embassy?

The number is in Uling's signature. That number, however, is exclusive to USCs who speak with the American twang, di ba Yna and Uling?

I figured that out when I called them. Although I am Filipina, I learned to speak with an American accent having worked with Americans in an American company before. So here I was asking for info and the lady was entertaining me then maybe she heard from the background my officemates talking in Tagalog and she asked "where are you calling from?" so I said, Manila then there was a sudden change of attitude and she asked me to call the Embassy call center instead. I could only shake my head

Uling, I'm sure you'd get the brick wall treatment if you try to talk to them in Tagalog LOL But honestly, they would find it cute if you attempt to communicate in our language but make sure you speak Tagalog with the sexy American twang like "kow-mows-tah kah? (kumusta ka?).

you know what i guess you're right. my accent is not american enough! to think the guy from the other line is like a 100% pinoy! by his accent anyways... i did use both the extensions its only in 5185 when i got on line. so when i asked he just said wrong number not even telling me whats the right number to call or he could easily forward me to the right person. i was working as a student assistant once and if somebody called our dept by mistake its so easy to transfer the call to the other dept. i have been an operator too at the school so i know its not that hard and its even their job i guess to be nice... my fiance is using that no# too but i doubt if he'll get the same treatment. and he's right when he said the guy just dont want to talk to me oh well life as it is...

[Sheriff Uling 3]

...Either use one of the immigrant visa section extensions or ask to be connected to the immigrant visa section.

Eksakto! It appears that the only extension for the Non Immigrant Visa Section is 5184, or dial 0 for the operator and ask for the Immigrant Visa Unit. The extension 5185 takes you the Social Security "department" and sometimes the operator transfers you there (LOL)!!! In my experience, if you call in between 7:30am - 7:45am then you should not have a problem catching someone in the Immigrant Visa Unit. Of course, you may have to call back a few times or continue to let the phone ring until someone answers. If you call anytime after 8:00am then you will be lucky if you catch someone in the Immigrant Visa Unit because they are constantly on the phone ALL DAY... EVERYDAY...

NOTE - I'm just piggy-backing on john_and_marlene post.

Edited October 17, 2006 by Uling

[kirk and Jenny 0]

received packet 3 10-17-2006

[zethris 0]

Be nice to the lady that usually answers 5184 guys. We don't want them to get more and more like the American DMV ok?

[RonMay 1]

the site were giving us both extension 5184/5185 how should i know 5185 is the social sec dept? lol... i just dialed what they're giving us. and if he's kind enough we would've forwarded me or gave me the right extensions... i'll say i'll stop calling them for now. lol... i'll let my fiance handled that and if we could find any PLDT around manila next week then we'll try again. hopefully it'll be a good day for us all then!!! supposed to think positive and be happy... too much wrinkles on my butt lately i mean face... or is there a difference! peace!!!

[Sheriff Uling 3]

...Either use one of the immigrant visa section extensions or ask to be connected to the immigrant visa section.

Eksakto! It appears that the only extension for the Immigrant Visa Unit is 5184, or dial 0 for the operator and ask for the Immigrant Visa Unit. The extension 5185 takes you the Social Security "department" and sometimes the operator transfers you there (LOL)!!! In my experience, if you call in between 7:30am - 7:45am then you should not have a problem catching someone in the Immigrant Visa Unit. Of course, you may have to call back a few times or continue to let the phone ring until someone answers. If you call anytime after 8:00am then you will be lucky if you catch someone in the Immigrant Visa Unit because they are constantly on the phone ALL DAY... EVERYDAY...

NOTE - I'm just piggy-backing on john_and_marlene post.

I typed Non Immigrant Visa Section by mistake cuz I was sleepy and careless.... Sorry!!!

Edited October 17, 2006 by Uling

[FMerz 0]

Im so tired waiting for this december appointments as in!! super duper!!!! as in a thunder grrrrrrr...I hope you guys dont mind me,i cannot stop myself. i just need to vent this here cuz you guys know the feeling of how to wait, its really an agony..huhuhu...by the way. Any idea when the next appointments will come out? I keep looking all the forums and thread but not even other countries consulate give out december appointments yet. I dont anymore call the embassy yet and just check this thread all the time for the latest news from members here cuz my temperature will just rise by the answers of the operators, and im hypertensive prone for heart attack,lol (knock3 times) ..Ahhh Goodluck to us all!

Jen

[sillygirl 0]

PW - Really glad to see the face behind the most hardworking member of the Manila Embassy interview thread.

Karina

i second that! Was pleasantly suprised when I saw PW's pic instead of the avatar that has become so familiar. Nice to meet you PW!

I was so busy & depressed lately that I haven't had the chance to wish everybody goodluck on their interviews and congratulate those who passed. And for the November folks, I know you guys gonna have a party, but don't count me in coz my fiance & I broke off the engagement two weeks ago. It's a long story & it's really "petty" but that's part of life that I just have to accept I guess.

Thank you folks & I wish everyone the best.

Karina

I'm sorry to hear that Karina. I hope you guys can still work things out.

[sillygirl 0]

sillygirl, you were able to pick up the visa? how did you go about notifying that you will be picking it up? i was thinking if we had the option to do that then we might as well take the extra travel time to do so...hope someone can help

Yup, we were able to pick up the visa. Towards the end of our interview, my fiance just asked the consul if he (the consul) can do him (my fiance) a favor and let us pick up the visa the next day instead of having Delbros deliver it. He reasoned that our interview got delayed because of the typhoon and that if we wait for Delbros, I might miss my flight. We both know that it is advised NOT to make travel plans yet until we get the visa but hey... it worked.

The consul was nice enough to agree and gave us a pick up stub. We went back to the embassy, showed the stub and got my visa. If you're planning to go on the interview, it won't hurt to ask if you can pick it up.

Goodluck! November is fast approaching!

wow thanks for that info PW and sillygirl (for her post). i am planning to go to his interview. bahala na kung meron pang uncertainties si mister consular officer mag make out nalang kami in front of him... hahaha i hope it wont get to that point but desperate situations call for desperate measures. we were planning to ask nga the consul person if we can come back and pick up the visa nalang... atat eh noh??? i know it's bad to do travel arrangements before the visa is issued but im hoping and praying that everything will be okay so i went ahead an booked it. even planned to get married sa sabado ng thanksgiving since his family (cousin) overthere is inviting us to spend thanksgiving with them. grabe ang timing sobra, we fly back on the 21st of november, i go to work on the 22nd, then after work drive na to vegas. KABALIW! hahahaha

grabe i cant imagine, after all this wait, planning a wedding, then getting ready for an interview makes time fly faster. days are longer but all in all it's pretty quick na from knowing the interview date...

btw, CUTE PIIIIIIC

that's the way to do it! mga pasaway tayo!

i don't know how to add pictures...so you're going to have to take my word for it...

We don't believe you... PROVE IT! LOL!

Yeah, prove it. Pictures, pictures, pictures!

[Sheriff Uling 3]

A deem November the Approval Visa Pick-up Month cuz we're all trying to pick-up our visas. The heck with Delbros… It's madaya that we apparently do not have an option but to beg to pick it up the visa. We’re our own delivery service! Besides, who wants to wait around for it to be delivered? This entire process is a fine lesson for us Americans because I have never waited this long to get anything done. In the States, it's all about now now now and right dahamn now. LOL! In the Phil, it's all about when when when, and how much freakin longer. LOL!

[sillygirl 0]

A deem November the Approval Visa Pick-up Month cuz we're all trying to pick-up our visas. The heck with Delbros… It's madaya that we apparently do not have an option but to beg to pick it up the visa. We’re our own delivery service! Besides, who wants to wait around for it to be delivered? This entire process is a fine lesson for us Americans because I have never waited this long to get anything done. In the States, it's all about now now now and right dahamn now. LOL! In the Phil, it's all about when when when, and how much freakin longer. LOL!

LOL

You don't have to beg, u just bully the consul a little! You can not flash your badge at the consul, Sheriff. That will be considered harassment!

Btw, this is for all the folks out there. Can we start our own thread in the AOS forum? It sure will be nice to have a thread like this for the AOS. Same whacky people going through another step in this whole process. Not that I don't want to consult with all the other guys from VJ, but I just thought it will be cool to be going through the next step with you guys. (aaawwww)

Edited October 17, 2006 by sillygirl

[Sheriff Uling 3]

You don't have to beg, u just bully the consul a little! You can not flash your badge at the consul, Sheriff. That will be considered harassment!

It's harrassment if I pull out my pistol. LOL!

Edited October 17, 2006 by Uling

[YnaYeBa0808 0]

can i flash something else???? hahahahhahah ahahahhahahah

[w1n78 0]

can i be added onto the list?

IR-1/CR-1

Name..................NOA2....CASE CMPLT...PACKET...INTERVIEW...MNL CASE#...STATUS

w1n78.................09-05-06...xx-xx-xx...xx-xx-xx...xx-xx-xx...2006-764xxx

uling: be glad you don't live in philippines and have to face those things everyday. i was born there and moved to the US a young age. i've always wanted to move back coz of the lifestyle (you can live off a low paying, unstable job, drink any day, any time, you can eat at family or neighbor's house, etc). but spending a whole month last july opened up my eyes. during my stay i had to run errands with wifey in manila and laguna - one word explains it all for me: INEFFICIENCY! but remember, money talks and BS walks. also helps to know someone in a high place. too bad we can't bribe anyone here in the US to speed up this whole process