Manila Embassy Interview

[GaryC 7]

I just got an 11th hour jitter... I just read in the Regional Discussion Forum - someone giving advice regarding Visa approvals through the US Embassy in Vietnam. He says that if the two of you met online and then only one time in person, that is a surefire way to have your Visa denied.

I realize that each embassy has their own quirks, but has anyone heard of someone going through the Manila Embassy with those two factors get denied?

I can't talk about anyone specific but from what I read it's not a killer. They may want more proof that you have a real relationship than someone that has been there 6 or 7 times but as long as you can show that you should be fine. I understand that the VN embassy is one of the toughest because of the high rate of organized scams run from there. Don't worry Steve, just show your evidence and things will be OK.

[Pinay Wife 47]

Cora asked me to post this pre-interview notice scans for everyone to see. If the Sheriff wants to put it in his siggy please feel free!

Thank you Gary & Luz for your help on this. I'm so dumb with computer stuff Hey Sheriff, finally, after 20 years of me figuring out how to post the Pre-Interview Notice, Luz & Gary figures it out in a few minutes. Thanks again, Luz & Gary!

Steven, Vietnam is tough for couples who met only once because most of the Vietnamese ladies can hardly communicate in English. The issue is "how can a couple have a relationship if USC cannot speak Vietnamese and the Vietnamese lady cannot speak English?" so embassy thinks rightly or wrongly that the relationship is not genuine resulting in denial.

A lot of Fil-Am couples here met only once and they were approved. You should not worry.

[kismet 0]

1) I agree with Gen. It is the Spanish way. My NBI clearance has the “y” and the “de”. “y” is to denote mother’s maiden name and “de” is to denote married name. For example, Jackie Kennedy’s (Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy) NBI clearance would appear as:

BOUVIER de KENNEDY, JACQUELINE y LEE

oh.... right... sorry 2hearts... I knew there something was a little askew in what I said

'de' for married or last name... 'y' for middle name...

I stand corrected.

Congratulations to couples who just got approved.. and good wishes for vic & el to get out of the AR hole soon.

Gen

[arch and cel 0]

Cora asked me to post this pre-interview notice scans for everyone to see. If the Sheriff wants to put it in his siggy please feel free!

Thank you Gary & Luz for your help on this. I'm so dumb with computer stuff Hey Sheriff, finally, after 20 years of me figuring out how to post the Pre-Interview Notice, Luz & Gary figures it out in a few minutes. Thanks again, Luz & Gary!

Steven, Vietnam is tough for couples who met only once because most of the Vietnamese ladies can hardly communicate in English. The issue is "how can a couple have a relationship if USC cannot speak Vietnamese and the Vietnamese lady cannot speak English?" so embassy thinks rightly or wrongly that the relationship is not genuine resulting in denial.

A lot of Fil-Am couples here met only once and they were approved. You should not worry.

Sis Lucy, PW is right because me and my fiance met only once last year and we were approved last Feb 2, 2007 waiting for wed feb 14, flight to USA w/ my honey Arch...Thanks God. complete your docs and pray hard.... I'm sure you will be fine sis! going to embassy confindently w/ Gary and ask the guidance and wisdom from our Lord, the consul will ask you 2-3 questions...thats it

regards,

arch and cel

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I just got an 11th hour jitter... I just read in the Regional Discussion Forum - someone giving advice regarding Visa approvals through the US Embassy in Vietnam. He says that if the two of you met online and then only one time in person, that is a surefire way to have your Visa denied.

I realize that each embassy has their own quirks, but has anyone heard of someone going through the Manila Embassy with those two factors get denied?

I can't talk about anyone specific but from what I read it's not a killer. They may want more proof that you have a real relationship than someone that has been there 6 or 7 times but as long as you can show that you should be fine. I understand that the VN embassy is one of the toughest because of the high rate of organized scams run from there. Don't worry Steve, just show your evidence and things will be OK.

Thanks, Gary. I've been doing a pretty good job of not letting any negative thoughts enter my mind as we approach the interview, but that one caught me off guard. I don't know if you read the post, but the guy basically says it's a 'surefire' way to get a denial. I HATE when people give that kind of advice.

Edited February 9, 2007 by Steven_and_Jinky

[Ken_Maria 0]

It was a typo, Precision reservations is $38 including all taxes for Exec Plaza.

Ok a couple of questions saw catching up this evening after work. Hotels.. look for hotels in the Ermita or Malate area as both are walkign distance to the Embassy. Try Precision Reservations for the hotel. We got Exec plaze for 438 a night including the VAT.

One-way flights can be booked for a fraction of the cost with thiese websites. Just remember if you book it online for your fiancee or finace, you will still have to pay the 1650 travel tax because the ticket was purchased outside the PI. try these TravelPH / Kayak.com or BestTravelStore I found the best prices at kayak and they eventually took me to PAL.

The departure tax was still 550 peso on 15 Jan when I left and the 200 peso security fee stil hd not been implemented. Good luck, Ken & Maria

Hey Ken_Maria,

Next time your booking rooms for Manila you may want to try www.asiarooms.com. I have found they are always less expensive than precision. For instance Executive Plaza is $38 inluding all taxes and fees. God bless.

Dean and Sheryl

[JelloShotGirl 0]

hey guys, just wanted to say God has blessed us with everything going so smoothly! Just wanted to fill you all in... Philip told me interview was very short, theold (LOL) American lady asked to see tax return, affadavit of support, thumbed through some emails and wanted to see our pictures. She asked if we want to have kids , how many,how did we meet(thru mutual friends/family ) LOL and what my religion was. We are 2 different religions(no big deal here! )THe interview took a really long 4 minutes LOL! However, the Pre-interview screener Filipina lady, apparently gave him HELL !! she wanted to read lots of the emails etc, well anyway I guess that is her job, just wanted to give all of you a heads up. We did go prepared with just about everthing we had just in case, bank stmts, tons of emails, fone cards etc etc for evidence of relationship. thanks again and GOd BLess !

[JelloShotGirl 0]

and no , my VJ friends, I really do not sleep !

[Coco Puff 0]

Updating timelines. CocoPuff, can we have the first 3 digits after "2006" of your Manila case number? Thanks.

Legend:

OK - Visa approved

AR - Admin Review/Add'l Docs Required

ME - Military Expedite

AO - Age-Out (Derivative approaching age 21)

Name.................NOA2.....MNL REC’D..PACKET...INTERVIEW..MNL CASE#..STATUS..DELIVERED/#OF DAYS/PLACE DLVRD

K1 LIST

01..fish............11-13-06..12-28-06..xx-xx-xx..01-08-07..2006-733xxx..AR

02..sunflowertami...08-08-06..08-24-06..11-16-06..01-09-06..2006-735xxx..OK..Jan 12/03 days/Picked up

03..treynroxy.......08-03-06..08-25-06..11-29-06..01-11-07..2006-736xxx..OK..Jan 19/08 days/Tagbilaran

04..TimR............08-10-06..09-06-06..11-28-06..01-11-07..2006-736xxx..OK

05..daveandlirio....08-03-06..08-28-06..xx-xx-xx..01-12-07..2006-737xxx..OK..Jan 22/10 days/Cabanatuan

06..lovebug.........08-12-06..08-29-06..11-29-06..01-12-07..2006-737xxx..OK..Jan 17/05 days/Picked up

07..neonspark.......08-23-06..xx-xx-xx..11-28-06..01-12-07..2006-737xxx..??

08..kirkandjenny....08-18-06..09-26-06..11-29-06..01-19-07..2006-743xxx..Kirk is moving to the Philippines!

09. roundbo.........09-11-06..09-23-06..xx-xx-xx..01-30-07..2006-756xxx..??

10..Robhankins......09-01-06..09-22-06..xx-xx-xx..02-26-07..2006-761xxx..Rescheduled from 12/28/06

11..RiggerAF........09-04-06..10-02-06..12-14-06..01-18-07..2006-764xxx..OK..Jan 24/06 days/Manila

12..sway............09-05-06..10-30-06..xx-xx-xx..01-19-07..2006-764xxx..OK..??

13..edz2006.........09-05-06..10-04-06..12-14-06..01-23-07..2006-764xxx..OK..??

14..vic&el4ever.....09-07-06..09-27-06..01-06-07..02-01-07..2006-768xxx..AR

15..davidjack.......09-05-06..10-04-06..xx-xx-xx..02-02-07..2006-770xxx..??

16..binow...........09-20-06..10-02-06..01-04-07..02-02-07..2006-770xxx..??

17..lebby...........09-07-06..10-03-06..12-21-06..02-05-07..2006-772xxx..??

18..arch_n_cel......09-11-06..10-18-06..12-29-06..02-02-07..2006-772xxx..OK..Feb 07/05 days/Picked up

19..sbqwolf1........09-11-06..10-18-06..12-22-06..02-05-07..2006-772xxx..OK

20..lawrencejeramie.09-11-06..10-17-06..12-23-06..02-06-07..2006-775xxx..OK

21..JelloShotGirl...09-29-06..10-13-06..12-22-06..02-08-07..2006-776xxx..OK

22..Richard&Maria...09-05-06..10-06-06..12-21-06..02-13-07..2006-779xxx

23..garya505........09-18-06..10-17-06..12-29-06..02-13-07..2006-779xxx

24..Burrito.........09-21-06..10-18-06..12-23-06..02-14-07..2006-783xxx

25..Iniibig ko......09-07-06..10-15-06..12-27-06..02-15-07..2006-783xxx

26..Thersch.........09-19-06..10-23-06..12-22-06..02-15-07..2006-783xxx

27..Ken_Maria.......09-18-06..10-10-06..12-26-06..02-15-07..2006-783xxx

28..mydestiny.......09-21-06..10-23-06..xx-xx-xx..02-23-07..2006-783xxx

29..Birdysboy.......09-11-06..10-23-06..01-05-07..02-26-07..2006-786xxx

30..gobdogman.......09-07-06..10-20-06..xx-xx-xx..02-16-07..2006-789xxx

31..Steve-n-Ana.....09-28-06..10-25-06..12-29-06..02-16-07..2006-789xxx

32..jamrok..........09-29-06..10-25-06..xx-xx-xx..11-24-06..2006-789xxx..OK..FINALLY OUT OF AR 1/31/06!!!

33..Erichu..........10-11-06..10-23-06..12-23-06..02-16-07..2006-789xxx

34..Paulily.........09-25-06..10-20-06..12-22-06..02-16-07..2006-792xxx

35..felnfrank.......10-12-06..10-23-06..12-22-06..02-16-07..2006-792xxx

36..bangus delight..10-05-06..10-20-06..12-22-06..02-16-07..2006-792xxx

37..StevenandJinky..10-17-06..11-02-06..01-02-07..02-16-07..2006-793xxx

38..oakwell.........10-16-06..11-06-06..01-13-07..02-20-07..2006-796xxx

39..Mike_and_Jennie.10-05-06..10-30-06..12-21-06..02-20-07..2006-799xxx

40..2Hearts.........10-18-06..11-03-06..PICK UP...02-20-07..2006-800xxx

41..patrick808......10-18-06..10-30-06..01-24-07..03-08-07..2006-800xxx

42..Joone745........10-20-06..11-01-06..xx-xx-xx..03-09-07..2006-800xxx

43..kar3n...........10-16-06..11-14-06..12-21-06..02-21-07..2006-805xxx

44..macky...........10-05-06..11-22-06..12-12-06..02-22-07..2006-813xxx

45..Wes.............11-02-06..11-17-06..12-29-06..03-20-07..2006-818xxx

46..49bstreet.......09-29-06..11-21-06..01-23-07..03-21-07..2006-820xxx

47..maylet29........10-27-06..11-21-06..xx-xx-xx..03-22-07..2006-820xxx

48..kismet..........11-02-06..11-20-06..01-26-07..03-22-07..2006-820xxx

49..iya.............11-02-06..11-20-06..02-02-07..03-23-07..2006-820xxx

50..boch............11-08-06..11-29-06..01-05-07..03-23-07..2006-820xxx

51..B&N.............11-03-06..11-29-06..01-24-07..03-26-07..2006-824xxx

52..Alanlvsjudy.....11-06-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..03-27-07..2006-824xxx

53..mpgirl..........11-21-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..03-23-07..2006-834xxx

54..DeaniWait.......11-28-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-842xxx

55..DaveandFleur....10-17-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-845xxx

56..DocMay..........11-15-06..12-12-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-845xxx

57..genlramos.......11-17-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-845xxx

58..George&Jenny....11-27-06..12-12-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-845xxx

59..PatientlyWait...12-04-06..12-27-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-852xxx

60..Kayz............12-14-06..12-27-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-854xxx

61..supra...........12-07-06..01-08-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-860xxx

62..elmasguapo......12-15-06..01-08-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-???xxx

63..Dean/Gra........12-26-06..01-04-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-503xxx

64..CocoPuff........12-29-06..01-16.07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-???xxx

64..Honeysweet......02-01-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

K3 LIST

01..Glenn&Rosemarie.08-29-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..01-25-07..2006-750xxx..OK..Feb 01/07 days/Cagayan de Oro

02..Amerikano.......10-03-06..10-19-06..01-05-07..02-13-07..2006-783xxx

03..KimTung.........10-06-06..10-26-06..12-21-06..02-16-07..2006-792xxx

04..dj2004..........11-16-06..12-12-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-839xxx

05..M&M.............11-20-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-503xxx

IR-1/CR-1

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

01..Biancashey......03-09-06..09-01-06..xx-xx-xx..01-19-07..2006-576xxx..OK..Jan 24/05 days/Cavite

02..JunCel..........05-15-06..08-24-06..12-07-06..01-05-07..2006-646xxx..OK..Jan 13/08 days/SF, La Union

03..facechelle......05-31-06..09-25-06..xx-xx-xx..01-30-07..2006-659xxx..OK..Feb 02/03 days/Pampanga

04..Jazzy...........08-03-06..10-17-06..12-30-06..02-08-07..2006-729xxx..AR..late BC reg. of stepdaughter

05..w1n78...........09-05-06..11-16-06..02-05-07..03-02-07..2006-764xxx..P4 received in CA

06..soulm8z0928.....09-06-06..11-16-06..02-05-07..03-14-07..2006-76xxxx..P4 received in FL

07..M&M.............09-07-06..11-15-06..02-05-07..03-15-07..2006-765xxx..P4 received in OH

08..Amerikano.......09-13-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-772xxx..

09..dims1...........09-20-06..12-01-06..02-06-07..03-19-07..2006-775xxx..P4 received in OR

10..KimTung.........09-26-06..12-21-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-779xxx

11..StarProg........12-28-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-508xxx

My fiancee actually said the same thing So I will go ahead and ask for the bank letter but as what Sheriff's said, it might not be needed in my case. So I will have it as a supplemental document...we will present it only upon request. Thank you guys !!! And PW thank you for adding our timeline...and ohh I will give the other 3 digits when we pass the interview

Coco Puff

[sunandmoon 450]

[

My fiancee actually said the same thing So I will go ahead and ask for the bank letter but as what Sheriff's said, it might not be needed in my case. So I will have it as a supplemental document...we will present it only upon request. Thank you guys !!! And PW thank you for adding our timeline...and ohh I will give the other 3 digits when we pass the interview

Coco Puff

what the first 3 numbers after the year represent is the date a case number was assigned to your petition. Julian Calender Date plus 500. so we know the first number is 5XX. you can the last 2 to us. we promise not to tel

Edited February 9, 2007 by Roy and Yazi

[w1n78 0]

good news Jazzy and congrats!

well my wife will be getting the packet 4 later today and will go to st lukes monday. 1 step closer. i just bought my ticket for feb 24. will be flying a week before the interview. redeemed my miles but still have to pay $200 for tax - geez! she also checked out prices for MNL to LAX and was quoted $680 one way. those who want to save a little money, make sure you schedule a flight that's not on the weekeend. you can save at least $50

Mira is going for her medical on Monday, maybe they will see each other. Good luck.

ya, they may see each other. my wife plans to go around 8am.

to those who received their packet 4 recently, was your Packet 4 printed in color or black and white? my wife is worried because it looks like it's a photo copy and not an original

[dims1 0]

I assume you mean the packet with the interview date and map of area around St Lukes...etc.

Its all black and white. I figure if Lorna doesnt receive the packet(I sent it to her day before yesterday) in time for getting her Physical around the 19 of feb.... I will just email her scanned copies of it. They won't be able to tell the difference.

Mike

[john_and_marlene 162]

I just got an 11th hour jitter... I just read in the Regional Discussion Forum - someone giving advice regarding Visa approvals through the US Embassy in Vietnam. He says that if the two of you met online and then only one time in person, that is a surefire way to have your Visa denied.

I realize that each embassy has their own quirks, but has anyone heard of someone going through the Manila Embassy with those two factors get denied?

I can't talk about anyone specific but from what I read it's not a killer. They may want more proof that you have a real relationship than someone that has been there 6 or 7 times but as long as you can show that you should be fine. I understand that the VN embassy is one of the toughest because of the high rate of organized scams run from there. Don't worry Steve, just show your evidence and things will be OK.

Thanks, Gary. I've been doing a pretty good job of not letting any negative thoughts enter my mind as we approach the interview, but that one caught me off guard. I don't know if you read the post, but the guy basically says it's a 'surefire' way to get a denial. I HATE when people give that kind of advice.

When we went to Marlene's interview and were handing our evidence to the pre-interviewer, the first question they asked was how many times I had visited.

[Amerikano 0]

I apologize if this has already been talked about before, but I'd like to know who here was able to have the beneficiary purchase their plane tickets in the Philippines?

I am hoping to have Jinky purchase her plane ticket through a travel agent the day after her interview.

I remember someone posted earlier that if your fiancee purchases the tickets, the travel agent will ask to see her Visa.

If that is the case, how are we able to purchase plan tickets far enough in advance to get the cheapest tickets available?

In our case, I purchased the plane ticket in advance thru PAL and Jhen picked it up from the Ticketing Office (where she paid the travel tax). However, she could only pick up the ticket after receipt of the visa. I am not aware of how the travel agencies handle ticket purchases in the Phil.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

Thanks, Sheriff! I was hoping to save from paying the extra tax.

There are two unavoidable taxes. The travel tax of 1620 PHP for domestic and business flights, and the airport tax/fee of 520 PHP that is paid before the traveler reaches customs at the airport.

Hello,

My wife is buying her ticket Friday so I'll let you know what happens. She already reserved the ticket at Northwest without a visa, so I'm not sure but we will see if they sell it to her Friday. Thanks,

Gary

My wife bought her ticket at Makati Northwest Airlines office yesterday. She had copy of her passport (original I hope is now at the Embassy with her medical results). She said they only had a few tickets left for Feb 22 departure, and she has a bunch of stops (Honolulu, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Charlotte) before she gets here Feb 23 afternoon. But, she was able to purchase and obtain the ticket FYI others who have their spouses/fiancees purchasing tickets in the Phils. The Phil. taxes were included in the fare, 750.00, excepting the 550 piso tax she pays at the airport.

Gary

[vic&el4ever 0]

1) I agree with Gen. It is the Spanish way. My NBI clearance has the “y” and the “de”. “y” is to denote mother’s maiden name and “de” is to denote married name. For example, Jackie Kennedy’s (Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy) NBI clearance would appear as:

BOUVIER de KENNEDY, JACQUELINE y LEE

oh.... right... sorry 2hearts... I knew there something was a little askew in what I said

'de' for married or last name... 'y' for middle name...

I stand corrected.

Congratulations to couples who just got approved.. and good wishes for vic & el to get out of the AR hole soon.

Gen

We are still around, we not dead yet

We are hoping for a fast clearing of our so-called general review. I hope it is trully a general review only, thanks everyone for there help and support.

We will keep preying and hoping too be together soon. We have so much plans that are on hold. But life will go out with or with the help of the USA. hehehe