Manila Embassy Interview

[Birdysboy 5]

I just talked to Tita and she got us approved. She is waiting to pay Del Bros now. Thank you Lord. Thank you Mother Mary.

[lirachadsbaby 0]

I just talked to Tita and she got us approved. She is waiting to pay Del Bros now. Thank you Lord. Thank you Mother Mary.

Cool! congratulations!

[Pinay Wife 47]

Thank you sillygirl (the author of the famous step-by-step medical and interview procedures) for offering to be the List Caretaker while I'm away for my two-week therapy Thank you! Thank you!

Updating the list to congratulate those who have received approvals and visas! Yehey!

To those in AR and waiting for interview, hang in there! We're right here with ya!

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

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

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

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

05..lebby...........09-07-06..10-03-06..12-21-06..02-05-07..2006-772xxx..OK..Feb 08/03 days/Metro Manila

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

07..sbqwolf1........09-11-06..10-18-06..12-22-06..02-05-07..2006-772xxx..OK..Feb 12/07 days/Manila

08..lawrencejeramie.09-11-06..10-17-06..12-23-06..02-06-07..2006-775xxx..OK..Feb 09/03 days/Picked up

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

10..Richard&Maria...09-05-06..10-06-06..12-21-06..02-13-07..2006-779xxx..OK..Feb 19/06 days/Greenhills, SJ

11..garya505........09-18-06..10-17-06..12-29-06..02-13-07..2006-779xxx..OK..Feb 15/02 days/Pick up

12..Burrito.........09-21-06..10-18-06..12-23-06..02-14-07..2006-783xxx..OK..Feb 22/08 days/Taguig

13..Iniibig ko......09-07-06..10-15-06..12-27-06..02-15-07..2006-783xxx..OK..Feb 22/07 days/Pick up

14..Thersch.........09-19-06..10-23-06..12-22-06..02-15-07..2006-783xxx..OK..Feb 22/07 days/Davao

15..Ken_Maria.......09-18-06..10-10-06..12-26-06..02-15-07..2006-783xxx..OK..Feb 22/07 days/Angeles City

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

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

18..gobdogman.......09-07-06..10-20-06..xx-xx-xx..02-26-07..2006-789xxx..OK..but pending birth registration of baby

19..Steve-n-Ana.....09-28-06..10-25-06..12-29-06..02-16-07..2006-789xxx..OK..Feb 23/07 days/Davao

20..jamrok..........09-29-06..10-25-06..xx-xx-xx..11-24-06..2006-789xxx..OK

21..Erichu..........10-11-06..10-23-06..12-23-06..02-16-07..2006-789xxx..OK..Feb 20/04 days/Pick up

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

22..felnfrank.......10-12-06..10-23-06..12-22-06..02-16-07..2006-792xxx..OK..Feb 23/07 days/Manila

23..bangus delight..10-05-06..10-20-06..12-22-06..02-16-07..2006-792xxx..OK..Feb 23/07 days/Pasig

24..StevenandJinky..10-17-06..11-02-06..01-02-07..02-16-07..2006-793xxx..OK..Feb 21/05 days/Cebu

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

26..Mike_and_Jennie.10-05-06..10-30-06..12-21-06..02-20-07..2006-799xxx..OK..Feb 22/02 days/Pick up

27..2Hearts.........10-18-06..11-03-06..PICK UP...02-20-07..2006-800xxx..OK..Feb 24/04 days/Cebu

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

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

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

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

32..pnoy00pogi......09-26-06..10-18-06..01-08-07..02-26-07..2006-xxxxxx..OK

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

34..49bstreet.......09-29-06..11-21-06..01-23-07..03-21-07..2006-820xxx

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

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

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

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

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

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

41..EllaJosh........11-14-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..03-23-07..2006-834xxx

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

43..DeaniWait.......11-28-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..04-04-07..2006-842xxx

44..wthornton.......11-28-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..04-04-07..2006-842xxx

45..DocMay..........11-15-06..12-12-06..xx-xx-xx..04-10-07..2006-845xxx

46..genlramos.......11-17-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..04-11-07..2006-845xxx

47..DaveandFleur....10-17-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..04-11-07..2006-845xxx

48..George&Jenny....11-27-06..12-12-06..xx-xx-xx..04-10-07..2006-845xxx

49..PatientlyWait...12-04-06..12-27-06..xx-xx-xx..04-13-07..2006-852xxx

50..Kayz............12-14-06..12-27-06..xx-xx-xx..04-16-07..2006-854xxx

51..sanfrancisco....xx-xx-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-17-07..2006-8xxxxx

52..supra...........12-07-06..01-08-07..xx-xx-xx..04-18-07..2006-860xxx

53..elmasguapo......12-15-06..01-08-07..xx-xx-xx..04-24-07..2006-xxxxxx

54..Dean/Gra........12-26-06..01-04-07..xx-xx-xx..04-23-07..2007-503xxx

55..CocoPuff........12-29-06..01-16.07..xx-xx-xx..04-25-07..2007-5xxxxx

56..Mike Marivic....01-04-07..01-20-07..xx-xx-xx..04-24-07..2007-508xxx

57..MarieandBryan...01-10-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-27-07..2007-52xxxx

58..chadandlira.....01-25-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-536xxx

59..Honeysweet......02-01-07..02-20-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-540xxx

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..KimTung.........10-06-06..10-26-06..12-21-06..02-16-07..2006-792xxx..OK..but advised by consul to pursue CR on Mar 22

03..Archie07........10-16-06..10-24-06..xx-xx-xx..02-16-07..2006-xxxxxx..OK..Feb 26/10 days/??

04..dj2004..........11-16-06..12-12-06..xx-xx-xx..04-03-07..2006-839xxx

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

06..Robor007........02-06-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

IR-1/CR-1

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

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

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

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

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

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

06..KimTung.........09-26-06..12-21-06..xx-xx-xx..03-22-07..2006-779xxx

07..randynrose......09-29-06..02-06-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2006-xxxxxx

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

09..Robor007........02-06-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

[Paulily 0]

Hi Glenn! I'm very interested to read your story because I will be there In Florida next month. I know Jacksonville is close to Paul (Lake City) I will talk to him about this and if its ok with you both I would like you to be our friends there. I am thinking of taking classes for Real Estate agent when I'm ready and adjusted. Don't worry she will be fine. Just give her time to adjust and give her some activities to make her mind busy and forget her worrries.

God Bless to both of you and hope to see both of you when I get there.

Lily

Hello Everyone, I find myself here with nobody to talk to about this and hope that some of you possibly will be able to shed some insight into this serious issue for me. My wife has been here now in the USA for 18 days. I have tried to be the best husband that I can possibly be. I take her places, out to dinner and even cook gourmet dinners for us. I am an indepenent broker and my office is in my home. My day's are somewhat busy and sometimes hectic from 8:00am to about 7:00pm Monday through Friday. Since my wife arrived here, I have made a point to take a few hours away from my work. My wife seemed to be sad and unhappy over the last few days. She is not the type of person to say what is bothering her or complain. I finally got her to tell me what is bothering her. It seems that she is feeking lonely and scared. She has made numerous comments that our neighborhood is very quiet and she rarely sees anyone outside. She relys on me for transportation, as she has not taken her driving exam yet. I live in a community next to the ocean, so its about a two or 3 mile drive for shopping, dining, etc. The biggest problem she describes to me is she is scared here. She isn't sleeping at night. She says it is because she is scared, as she hears noises above the master bedroom of which is upstairs. She thinks it is a spirit or a ghost walking around up there! I am serious, she thinks this. I hear things also and I have explained to her that it is the rustling of the very tall Palm trees outside our house. It is always windy or breezy here, as our house is a stones throw from the Atlantic Ocean. My wife is a smart person and well educated, so that isn't an issue. I respect her culture and beliefs and know that this fear is real to her.

This is serious and to the point that she wants to return to the Philippines. She is lonely and scared and I just don't know what to do. All of you have become like an internet family to me, so I am hoping that possibly some of you can share experiences or shed some insight into this issue for me. I am very frustrated, as I don't know what else to say or do. You can send me a private message if you prefer. Thanks, Glenn

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

I just talked to Tita and she got us approved. She is waiting to pay Del Bros now. Thank you Lord. Thank you Mother Mary.

Congratulations! :star: :star: I extend that congratulations to everyone else who had their interview last week and were approved! Hallelujah!

[Pinay Wife 47]

Anybody take on the special title of "List Caretaker" of the Manila Embassy Interview thread yet? I would gladly take on the honorable task if there are no violent reactions

Thanks for the offer Gen pero naunahan ka ni sillygirl .She also took over when I was away in November for another therapy but I'm glad that there is someone like you who is also willing to take over. Maraming salamat!

Hello guys! I am leaving tomorrow morning for America. I got Luz and Robins tickets the other day. They will arrive in the US on April 6! Next week they do the CFO and get copies of all their docs. Everything is ready now!!! Good luck to everyone with interviews coming up!

Hello, Gary. How is the jet lag? Which is worse? Jet lag or being lovesick? Luz and I had a great lunch yesterday. Thanks for the lunch Luz! Sa uulitin ulit hehehe.

Meanwhile Fely has been told by a friend whose daughter came to the US on a K-1 visa last December, that the cost of the CFO is 9000 PhP. I have no idea where she got this number from, as I know it's only 400 PhP. But I'm having trouble convincing Fely of the real cost.

Gary, tell Fely that her friend's daughter was scammed out of P9,000 if she indeed paid such amount. They probably paid a fixer.

Picked up VISA on 2/22, jumped in a cab and went to CFO same day. Everything completed. Fly to states 2/27. WOOHOO. Lot's of packing, dinners with friends and family and tears now.

Happy trip and have a wonderful life together!

Just came through the Honolulu POE today and Hawaii does require the X-ray. Not many questions and if you are traveling with your finacee, they will process both of you together. If your x-ray is in the check luggage like ours, they will go to the baggage claim with you and get it.

Thank you Ken for this info. Looks like its official now that Honolulu POE requires the x-ray. So those of you whose POE is Honolulu, please hand-carry your x-rays.

Have a happy life with Maria. How does she find Hawaii so far?

Hey guys, just a quick question here, is there a number at the US Embassy here in Manila that you can call to check the status of your visa after you have been interviewed? I am kinda wondering if there is such a number aside from the call center number that they have. Any information you guys can provide will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Karen, have your fiance call 011-63-2-528-6300 ext 5184 to follow up on your visa. That number only entertains calls from USCs calling from the US.

I don't think I belong here.. all of you,.. either K1 or K3 Visa Petition..

Im married to LPR and still waiting for NOA2.. I hope some Filipino out there has the same case like me so we can easily relate or tackle our case.. and help each other

GOOD LUCK GUYS!..

You are welcome here Chelbear. Looks like you still have a long wait for NOA2 since your petitioner is LPR. If he becomes a US citizen, this will speed up your process.

frank gave me a tour around d place n even shopped 4 thngs.i was surprised of his valentine gifts.wen i enterd our room,there r big heart balons n bears wd hearts,choclates n cards.oh its so nice to be wd ouR love..

Ang sweet naman!

Hi Glenn! I'm very interested to read your story because I will be there In Florida next month. I know Jacksonville is close to Paul (Lake City) I will talk to him about this and if its ok with you both I would like you to be our friends there. I am thinking of taking classes for Real Estate agent when I'm ready and adjusted. Don't worry she will be fine. Just give her time to adjust and give her some activities to make her mind busy and forget her worrries.

God Bless to both of you and hope to see both of you when I get there.

There you go, Glenn. Lily will be in FL soon and Rosemarie will have a Filipina friend. Rosemarie is probably suffering from culture shock. With your help, patience, love and understanding, she hopefully will overcome this temporary feeling of isolation in 6 months to a year.

Filipinos are very social people. We thrive on the support and closeness of our relationships with our family, friends, relatives, neighbors, and extended families. Rosemarie’s support was cut off all of a sudden and she felt the loss.

To reiterate what others before me have suggested, you might want to consider doing these things for her:

1) Subscribe to TFC (The Filipino Channel) so she can watch Filipino TV programs. http://www.abs-cbni.com/ It costs money but my US relatives tell me it feels just like home when they watch TFC.

2) Contact Fil-Am associations and attend their get-togethers with her. Rosemarie would feel an immediate reconnection and this will help in her adjustment

3) If she is Catholic, you might want to ask a priest (a Filipino priest if you can find one) to come and sprinkle holy water around your house. Offer to buy a crucifix (blessed with holy water) to be placed in the wall of your living room and near your bedroom door. This would help her to feel secure around your house. I’m sure you guys have noticed the crucifix, statues of saints and rosaries in Filipino houses or cars. They our security blanket.

4) Serve Filipino food at least 3 times a week.

5) Buy phone cards so she can call family regularly.

6) Continue to assure her of your love and support and don’t snap at her even if you want to. Try to empathize with her.

7) If you can afford it, a promise of a trip back home will give her something to look forward to. But make sure you come with her.

I appreciate the fact that you guys here are sensitive to your ladies' feelings and are seeking ways to help your loved ones cope during her period of adjustment. Loads of patience, bucketful of love, and tons and tons of understanding are what both partners need in this difficult stage.

After the euphoria of finally getting the visa has subsided, real life starts.

Let us remain steadfast in our love for each other and pray for the success of our marriages.

Cora

[StarProg 0]

Meanwhile Fely has been told by a friend whose daughter came to the US on a K-1 visa last December, that the cost of the CFO is 9000 PhP. I have no idea where she got this number from, as I know it's only 400 PhP. But I'm having trouble convincing Fely of the real cost.

Gary, tell Fely that her friend's daughter was scammed out of P9,000 if she indeed paid such amount. They probably paid a fixer.

Cora

Thanks Cora. I'm trying to find out if the friend actually paid that much. Unfortunately Fely's mad at me right now because I didn't believe her when she said the CFO costs P9,000. I'll tell her what you said and see what happens.

Gary

[robhankins 0]

PW, finally you can change our status to approved. Lilia saw the CO write "K1 APPROVED" on her file as he sent her to pay Delbros.

When I go to Delbros to check our delivery, is our waybill the same as our "MNL2006761xxx"?

Lilia said she was given back 2 photos she had given St. Luke's???

[Jeff and Boo 0]

Hello Everyone, I find myself here with nobody to talk to about this and hope that some of you possibly will be able to shed some insight into this serious issue for me. My wife has been here now in the USA for 18 days. I have tried to be the best husband that I can possibly be. I take her places, out to dinner and even cook gourmet dinners for us. I am an indepenent broker and my office is in my home. My day's are somewhat busy and sometimes hectic from 8:00am to about 7:00pm Monday through Friday. Since my wife arrived here, I have made a point to take a few hours away from my work. My wife seemed to be sad and unhappy over the last few days. She is not the type of person to say what is bothering her or complain. I finally got her to tell me what is bothering her. It seems that she is feeking lonely and scared. She has made numerous comments that our neighborhood is very quiet and she rarely sees anyone outside. She relys on me for transportation, as she has not taken her driving exam yet. I live in a community next to the ocean, so its about a two or 3 mile drive for shopping, dining, etc. The biggest problem she describes to me is she is scared here. She isn't sleeping at night. She says it is because she is scared, as she hears noises above the master bedroom of which is upstairs. She thinks it is a spirit or a ghost walking around up there! I am serious, she thinks this. I hear things also and I have explained to her that it is the rustling of the very tall Palm trees outside our house. It is always windy or breezy here, as our house is a stones throw from the Atlantic Ocean. My wife is a smart person and well educated, so that isn't an issue. I respect her culture and beliefs and know that this fear is real to her.

This is serious and to the point that she wants to return to the Philippines. She is lonely and scared and I just don't know what to do. All of you have become like an internet family to me, so I am hoping that possibly some of you can share experiences or shed some insight into this issue for me. I am very frustrated, as I don't know what else to say or do. You can send me a private message if you prefer. Thanks, Glenn

Hi Glenn,

I think that it happens to everyone to more or less a degree. Did you both talk about how your daily lives would be together? During the period apart, how much time did you spend on the phone or chatting online? My fiancee will be here this coming Friday and I'm currently waiting tables at night (3 days a week) in addition to my full time job - so I'm concerned about how the transition will be for her, but we talk about it all the time. Keep in mind, she's left EVERYTHING behind her, she's not only in a strange neighborhood but a strange country as well. If she can't drive right away, show her the public transportation system so that she has a way to get out of that house that will quickly feel like a prison to her if it doesn't already.

Expectations are so important. I would sit down and have a heart to heart talk. Make some immediate goals that will help her to feel comfortable (introducing her to some of the neighbors, introduce her to your friends, get involved with your church, find a network of Filipino Americans nearby that she can communicate with). Then I'd talk about long term goals (getting her driver's license, signing up for classes at a local college, etc.). Whatever the main plan was that you both had imagined, in terms of your lives together - that has to be ironed out where both of you have a good idea of what to expect.

Just try to put yourself in her place and imagine what you would need to do to keep your sanity. Going back home is NOT the solution and both of you need to believe that. The transition is going to be painful and there's no way to get around it, but tell yourselves that it is temporary. Eventually you will both form a life together that feels comfortable.

Don't despair. Best wishes!

We have been married since December 2005. I visited her twice for 6 weeks prior to our marriage and I met her in Manila 3 times for 2 to 4 weeks during 2006. We chatted or talked on the phone everyday since the first time we met. I let her know before we married that my business life was not only a busy one, but very hectic most of the time. I think she is somewhat surprised at the way I do business, as there is a lot of emotion at times. But, that is just the nature of my business.

I wish desperatley that I knew Filipinos here. I know there are many here, but haven't a clue on how she can meet them? I appreciate your concern and feedback.

well i can suggest glen why not let her chat with her family or friends so that she can keep her mind busy and at the same time she can update them whats goin on with her or maybe you can ask her to help you out in the business like for example some typing, filing, computing..this is just an idea..

Boo

[soulm8z0928 0]

PW, finally you can change our status to approved. Lilia saw the CO write "K1 APPROVED" on her file as he sent her to pay Delbros.

congrats!!

[robhankins 0]

PW, finally you can change our status to approved. Lilia saw the CO write "K1 APPROVED" on her file as he sent her to pay Delbros.

congrats!!

One thing interesting. Since I am self employed, I sent a year's worth of ORIGINAL bank statements (both company and individual accounts). I expected to get those back when Lilia arrived here for use in filing taxes for 2006. The USE KEPT all my bank statements! The Filipina screener told Lilia they would just keep them. Now I have to pay the bank to get copies generated. I should have made copies. No big deal, but noteworthy for the self employed.

[LuzyC 0]

Hello guys! I am leaving tomorrow morning for America. I got Luz and Robins tickets the other day. They will arrive in the US on April 6! Next week they do the CFO and get copies of all their docs. Everything is ready now!!! Good luck to everyone with interviews coming up!

Hello, Gary. How is the jet lag? Which is worse? Jet lag or being lovesick? Luz and I had a great lunch yesterday. Thanks for the lunch Luz! Sa uulitin ulit hehehe.

Your welcome sister!thanks for your time.Gary still suffer from colds and so dead tired when I talk to him this morning.Poor baby..I told him that its my turn to travel next time!

After the euphoria of finally getting the visa has subsided, real life starts.

Let us remain steadfast in our love for each other and pray for the success of our marriages.

Cora

Well said sister!

[Birdysboy 5]

As with anything, you can't prepare enough. Word to the wise: If you are divorced, prep your fiance for all the potential questions. They asked Tita alot of questions about my family and job and all that stuff but they zoomed in on the divorce and asked her alot of questions.

Overall, the pre-screener came off as brash and rude. She was the pregnant one so maybe the baby was kicking her HAHAHA.

The kano co was very nice and kind to Tita.

She got there at 530am and was not done until 1130am, so pack a snack.

[GaryC 7]

Hello all! Can someone tell me the name of a shipping company that can ship Luz's stuff without costing more than her things are worth? She will be bringing her important stuff with her but she also has a lifetime of stuff that she wants to send here. Overseas (in a boat) shipping is what I had in mind. Thanks!

[Glenn & Rosemarie 0]

All of you without any doubt in my mind are very good people. I made a serious post here yesterday and the responses in posting's and private messages have been overwhelming. I feel certain that my wife is homesick. The information and suggestions that you all have made is very helpful to us. Thanks to all of you fine people!