Manila Embassy Interview

[Dean iWait 0]

Dean, not everyone is asked for the ring receipt by the consul. However, if it is really freaking you out (cool it man B) hehe) if you remember where you bought the ring, the store might still have a copy of the receipt. Also, you might want to try calling your credit card company and ask for a copy of the statement for the month and year you bought the ring. I'm sure one of them will be able to provide you with the receipt and you can then fax that to your sweetie.

49Bstreet, I’ve heard strange stories that there are embassy employees going around the embassy to detect fraudsters among the applicants. They pretend to be applicants themselves and gain your confidence. The fact that the woman knew you were from Chicago even before you told her kinda gave her “spy status” away. Also, you said you were interviewed for 20 minutes by the consul. Looks like you were really scrutinized.

I think we were scrutinized, PW. We were the last to leave at 11:15 am. The Consular really made my Fiance sweat to answer all the questions. One he asked was "Why do you want to marry her? And don't say to me, it is because you love her." What makes her so special from all the Philippine women here?" He took his time to really read all the letters, emails, birthday cards, notes, gifts reciepts and phone records we had. The Pre-Screener did not want all of them. She only wanted just a small sample. But the Consular asked for this hold big blue binder we had put together and read most of them from front to back. The questions was aprox. 10-15 different questions for my Fiance. But we made it and now his POE is April 7, 2007.

Thanks for all your help, this is a great family to be with.

Yeah that whole exchange you described outside the embassy was really bizzare. Makes me wonder how many of the CO's and embassy staff read this forum. Well just to let them know I found a way to get online and pull a copy of our engagement ring receipt. So now we have that final piece of paper to top out our mountain of paperwork. So ask away. Oh and I will be looking for someone to greet me while we are in line at the embassy and say they are from Denver too.

[Skeeter211 2]

No offense intended here, but why would you need a receipt for an engagement ring that they can see on the girl's finger at the interview? They will think without that receipt that maybe the girl just stole it? I know...don't ask why they do what they do cuz there is no rhyme or reason. Either that or I am just naive.

Scott

[Sheriff Uling 3]

VJ...

I have set-up another profile for my wife, Jhen aka "Deputy Uling", and placed some info concerning the AOS process. If you are interested [CLICK HERE] and select the signature and story tab. Keep in mind that the AOS process, removing the conditions of residence, and the naturalization process are combined way less stressful than the visa approval process BY A LANDSLIDE. I know... I know... that we have not conquered the process beyond the AOS process, but trust me on this one...

Cheers!!!

Ahmari (Sheriff Uling) and Jhen (Deputy Uling)

[49BSTREET 0]

[='49BSTREET' post'Mar 26 2007, 02:46 PM' post=801131]='798734' date='Mar 25 2007, 04:02 AM']Dean, not everyone is asked for the ring receipt by the consul. However, if it is really freaking you out (cool it man B) hehe) if you remember where you bought the ring, the store might still have a copy of the receipt. Also, you might want to try calling your credit card company and ask for a copy of the statement for the month and year you bought the ring. I'm sure one of them will be able to provide you with the receipt and you can then fax that to your sweetie.

49Bstreet, I've heard strange stories that there are embassy employees going around the embassy to detect fraudsters among the applicants. They pretend to be applicants themselves and gain your confidence. The fact that the woman knew you were from Chicago even before you told her kinda gave her "spy status" away. Also, you said you were interviewed for 20 minutes by the consul. Looks like you were really scrutinized.

I think we were scrutinized, PW. We were the last to leave at 11:15 am. The Consular really made my Fiance sweat to answer all the questions. One he asked was "Why do you want to marry her? And don't say to me, it is because you love her." What makes her so special from all the Philippine women here?" He took his time to really read all the letters, emails, birthday cards, notes, gifts reciepts and phone records we had. The Pre-Screener did not want all of them. She only wanted just a small sample. But the Consular asked for this hold big blue binder we had put together and read most of them from front to back. The questions was aprox. 10-15 different questions for my Fiance. But we made it and now his POE is April 7, 2007.

Thanks for all your help, this is a great family to be with.

Yeah that whole exchange you described outside the embassy was really bizzare. Makes me wonder how many of the CO's and embassy staff read this forum. Well just to let them know I found a way to get online and pull a copy of our engagement ring receipt. So now we have that final piece of paper to top out our mountain of paperwork. So ask away. Oh and I will be looking for someone to greet me while we are in line at the embassy and say they are from Denver too.

You are too funny, but you better have your amor and guard up. I think they are really sneaky people. Where's the love? Huh?.... Take care and best wishes to you on the 4th. I know you will show them how to be really clever.....

[Psoas10 17]

Hmm thanks for the advice. It seems that is what I am hearing from everybody else too. Yet i hear different things about the co-sponsor. Also it seems like if I am not approved, then i can just refile if I need too, like PW did. I wonder how much pull the OFW has with the consulate, or if they have some kind of love/hate relationship. My mom made a contact with a high ranking person during they visit to the state of Hawaii during the sakada celebration we just had. Well just thinking out loud here. I have 8-9 months to wait until a potential interview. Starprog, so your wife is Ilocano too? Where is she from? My my fiance is from Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.

[Alanlvsjudy 0]

Well, Judy should be arriving at the embassy now, the new rule about cell phones kinda sucks but I understand it...but now I have to wait till she returns home to find anything out.

If I were a drinking man, now would be a good time...someone can have an extra on my behalf...

<Chernoble Imitation>

[sunandmoon 450]

Well, Judy should be arriving at the embassy now, the new rule about cell phones kinda sucks but I understand it...but now I have to wait till she returns home to find anything out.

If I were a drinking man, now would be a good time...someone can have an extra on my behalf...

<Chernoble Imitation>

best of luck with the interview. it will be smooth sailing. your wait will soon come to an end.

[StarProg 0]

Hmm thanks for the advice. It seems that is what I am hearing from everybody else too. Yet i hear different things about the co-sponsor. Also it seems like if I am not approved, then i can just refile if I need too, like PW did. I wonder how much pull the OFW has with the consulate, or if they have some kind of love/hate relationship. My mom made a contact with a high ranking person during they visit to the state of Hawaii during the sakada celebration we just had. Well just thinking out loud here. I have 8-9 months to wait until a potential interview. Starprog, so your wife is Ilocano too? Where is she from? My my fiance is from Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.

Oh wow, your fiancée is from way up north. I would love to visit that region on a trip some day, but its such a long long bus ride. It took us 7 hours just to get to La Union when we went to Baguio City. Anyway my wife is from the Zambales province, near Iba.

[oakwell 0]

Well, Judy should be arriving at the embassy now, the new rule about cell phones kinda sucks but I understand it...but now I have to wait till she returns home to find anything out.

If I were a drinking man, now would be a good time...someone can have an extra on my behalf...

<Chernoble Imitation>

Good luck on the interview, just a few more hours to go.

[Psoas10 17]

I would like to introduce myself to this thread, and to everybody who this thread has helped. My name is Jay and I was born and raised on Kauai, which is one of the main Islands in Hawaii. I posted about income and avadavit of support problems earlier. Thanks to starprog for giving me a good answer. I have learned alot on this labis thread. Anyway if any of you have questions about rasising bi-racial kids, i can be of some advice, because I am half asian half white. I intend to participate in this thread.

[Alanlvsjudy 0]

Well, Judy should be arriving at the embassy now, the new rule about cell phones kinda sucks but I understand it...but now I have to wait till she returns home to find anything out.

If I were a drinking man, now would be a good time...someone can have an extra on my behalf...

<Chernoble Imitation>

Good luck on the interview, just a few more hours to go.

Thanks guys, Roy n yazi too, can I borrow someones fingernails to bite?, mine look like I trimmed them with a hand grenade...

[Glenn & Rosemarie 0]

Well, Judy should be arriving at the embassy now, the new rule about cell phones kinda sucks but I understand it...but now I have to wait till she returns home to find anything out.

If I were a drinking man, now would be a good time...someone can have an extra on my behalf...

<Chernoble Imitation>

Take a deep breath and say a prayer. We will say one for you also. God Bless you both.

[gracy_byron 0]

DS forms for my son??? Hi guys do I need to fill up another DS forms for my son just like how I did mine?

DS 156?

DS 156k?

DS 157?

[soulm8z0928 0]

hello fellow philippine vj'ers! well, i am here in manila with sherwin, it is our last day here as we will be flying out this evening heading for tampa, fl. a very emotional and happy day! thank you all for the help and support along the way. good luck to all those with upcoming interviews and those waiting to be scheduled. having been through it now we can certainly empathize with all the emotions you experience during this visa journey. i would say that we were pleasantly surprised by how fast it went. we were prepared to go over 12 months in this process, but in the end it was all done in just about 9 months from time of 1st filing to delivery of the visa! it is so wonderful knowing this red tape is all behind us and we are free to pursue our lives together as husband and wife! tc all, God Bless! we are not disappearing, but we will be very busy when we arrive in the states, so we may not be able to check in here as often as we would like, so wanted to get this post in before we left manila. Regards, bernie and sherwin

[LuzyC 0]

hello fellow philippine vj'ers! well, i am here in manila with sherwin, it is our last day here as we will be flying out this evening heading for tampa, fl. a very emotional and happy day! thank you all for the help and support along the way. good luck to all those with upcoming interviews and those waiting to be scheduled. having been through it now we can certainly empathize with all the emotions you experience during this visa journey. i would say that we were pleasantly surprised by how fast it went. we were prepared to go over 12 months in this process, but in the end it was all done in just about 9 months from time of 1st filing to delivery of the visa! it is so wonderful knowing this red tape is all behind us and we are free to pursue our lives together as husband and wife! tc all, God Bless! we are not disappearing, but we will be very busy when we arrive in the states, so we may not be able to check in here as often as we would like, so wanted to get this post in before we left manila. Regards, bernie and sherwin

Hello Bernie and Sherwin,

Goodluck and have a happy life together forever as husband and wife!!

Have a happy safe trip !