May 26 USEM Interview PASSED! May 29, VISA ON HAND

[martheena0909 0]

First and foremost I want to thank God for all the blessings He hath given unto me all throughout this years, which includes having the man I met almost 3 years ago, the man I am happy and will gladly spend my whole life with, the man am going to marry--- Chris.

I also want to thank fellow VJiers, specially those who kindly answered my endless querries. To those who posted their "visa journey" stories, thank you, your stories helped me alot in my preparation to pass my interview at USEM last May 26.

Chris introduced VJ to me some time last week of April and from then on, I became a VJ addict :=). And since i resigned from work after I received my USEM packet, i had the luxury of time to come online anytime I want to. From the time i wake up, till bedtime, on wee hours VJ was on. Few days passed I came across a post that prompted me to fly to Manila ASAP.(I am from the province) .I learned from the post about the need to bring an annotated MC on the interview. Originally, I planned to fly to Manila 2nd week of May to have my medical exam at SLEC, but for what I've learned, I quickly hurry myself to Cebu Pacific ticketing office to buy a ticket for the next day flight. The fare cost twice the amount of a regular fare, but i have to buy it anyway . (Fare is way much cheaper if booked early).So, April 30th, Thursday in the morning, I bought my plane ticket hoping to catch NSO's next last working day (Friday) just to realize later in the afternoon that May 1 is Labor Day! No office. I tried to rebook it for Monday, but the rebooking fee cost almost half of the amount I paid on my ticket. Something I am not willing to pay. So, I found myself towing my trolley bag, running around Manila on May 1st. I head straight to San Pedro, Laguna at my aunt's and since it was an unexpected trip no one knows I am coming so they were surprised to see me. 'Twas a wonderful reunion after 10 years....

May 4, I went to NSO Office to process my request of annotated MC, BC and CENOMAR. The annotated MC waiting time was 17 working days starting on the day it was requested. The papers that I handed to have my annotated MC processed were: Court decision, finality of judgement, and certification from LCR. CENOMAR was 7 days, while the BC was ready for pick up later that day. May 6 and 7, had my SLEC medical exam. On my first day,I arrived at 7AM. I could have been there earlier than 7 if I did not head straight to St Luke's Medical Hospital hehehe.. Oh well, I want to call it adventure instead of katangahan :=).

Things to bring in coming to SLEC for Medical Exam :

1. Interview appointment confirmation letter .In my case, I printed the e-mail sent to me by the call center agent who placed my interview appointment

2. The letter received from USEM

3. Passport

4. Colored 2x2 ID picture with white background.

The security guard took the appointment confirmation letter, checked my passport, and put a stamp on my USEM letter. My last chest x-ray was January '09 as per work requirement, I told the receptionist of this, she asked me of the film but I only have the reading or the result with me. She said, they only take the film not the x-ray reading. So, i have to go through another chest x-ray. Note: Be prepared to fill-up DS 156K form. Have your fiance’s address in your notes in case you can’t memorize it yet, as you have to write it on the DS 156K. Take note of the date of your first day of last menstruation. This will be asked from you all throughout the process. The most awaited phase in the whole medical exam process was the physical exam. I was asked to wear the gown. I asked the doctor if i have to take everything off, she said yes. Without questions, I took the gown laid on bed, covered myself from the curtain and changed. I did not wait anymore for the doctor to ask me lay down on bed as obviously the next thing that she is going to do is to check our anatomy . If scars are noted, the doctor will ask how you got that such. Scars on the wrist are checked. This could be an indicative of previous suicides in which they take it as a serious matter to take into account as suicidal individuals may pose probable threat and harm to their citizens in the US. Around 11AM, my 1st day medical exam was completed. My second day appointment was set to 10AM. I arrived 8AM. I greeted the security guard posting right on the doorstep,with a smile and showed my claim stub and receipt, and he let me in. Then I showed the said again to the next security guard posted inside. He pulled my file up from their computer and verified from me if the picture i was looking at was me, I smiled and said yes!He smiled back and said, "congratulations! you passed! you may now have your immunization and get ready for your USEM interview". With a grinning smile, happily I said thank you! When I was interviewed for the immunization, the Doctor told me that I have the option to have the immunization from them or I may opt to have it in the US. I opted to take the immunization from them since it has been paid for already. I was done around 10AM. Before I left the building, I went to the security guard again to check if indeed He was sure I passed (makulit! hehe.. just making sure). He explained that once an applicant is instructed to have its immunization after the 1st day process, it means that the PE, laboratory and x-ray result are all good, and medical exam is successfully passed.

May 26, 2009 – USEM interview. My big day! The most nerve -racking ordeal I’ve ever had in my whole life! I resigned from work month before my interview date to be able to prepare the papers I need to bring with me during the interview. I’ve been running around almost everyday.

My preparation. - was no joke!  My NSO birth certificate was blurry, so last minute I asked my sister in Leyte to request a copy from my hometown’s local civil registar to back-up my NSO BC just n case they ask. I have to make corrections on my birthdate too that appears in my school transcript of records and the year I graduated. I attended 6 colleges/universities and i have to workback my TOR from the school where I started my 1st year and then on. These schools are from Leyte, Iloilo, and Negros. (btw, the instruction given to me by my immigration lawyer was to bring these on my interview as proof of identity.. who knows, these might be asked.?There’s nothing like being prepared.) Every day I was sorting pictures to pictures that seemed to be endless but fun. I’ve meticulously mounted them on a nice light green paper, one by one, arranged in chronological order. On the bottom of each picture was a caption describing the captured moment along side with it was its corresponding plane tickets or receipts. I put them in one folder. I included Chris’ passport printed on a 8R glossy paper showing the dates of travel here in PI (very important primary evidence!) This is what I did in my “proof of a meeting prior to petition”. In my proof of “ genuine engagement” I just simply put pictures of us with my family, picture of us in our engagement day with resto receipts and and our funny picture on IMAX with its tickets and Western Union receipts. Day before my interview, I found myself along the street of UN carrying one heavy bag that hurts my shoulder so much, and another computer bag on my other shoulder ,crossing the street as early as 6:30AM way to NBI office. I found out night before that my NBI clearance doesn’t have a dry seal! Supposedly the idea for the day before my interview was to stay in a hotel , so I will not be travelling early from San Pedro Laguna all the way to USEM, relax and unwind whole day. However, alarmed that the dry seal may be the cause of getting an RFE or whatever, I went to NBI UN to have my clearance dry sealed.However I find out from the NBI guys posted at the front gate that processing of NBI Clearances is now done at Carriedo. I explained my situation and one NBI agent offered to have my clearance dry sealed inside their office. Moreover,on the embassy instruction, it says “ NBI clearance should be in the applicant’s current name, birth certificate name, maiden name and any aliases or nicknames used, including different spellings you have used of those names” which I have not fully understood on how my name should appear on the clearance since I have an annulled marriage. I have always used my maiden name, never used my married name. All my records (school records, etc) are on my maiden name. However, the name that my lawyer used when we filed the presumptive death case for my ex was my married name. No one at the NBI could tell me how my name should appear on the clearance. So I went to the US Embassy hoping to get an accurate information but to find out, May 4th was Memorial Day in the US. They were closed! I spoke to the embassy guard and asked. He was nice, but then I wasn’t convinced of his advise to just have my interview the next day and find out if it is accepted or not and wait for their instruction. Huh?? No way! I want a pink slip! It’s what I was saying at the back of my mind. I thanked him and left. I went to NBI Carriedo to process again a new clearance, this time, my full maiden name on it. There are several people there that offers help for a fee which I took advantage. In less than 1 hour, I was done amidst the long endless line! For me, the fee was worth it than wasting my time being on the line waiting for my turn. Besides, I have to have my beauty rest that day. 

to be continued....... got to do something very important. I am going to write my interview experience next time and to those who have PRESUMPTIVE DEATH cases as way of terminating previous marriage, my experience might help you ease the anxiety somehow... See yah all in a bit!

[tallcoolone 102]

[o0pink0o 3]

Congratulations!!!

[martheena0909 0]

Congratulations!!!

Thank you.. (even if I posted it late.. Fiance is coming in 4 days! argh... got to pack-up and etc etc.. )

[maritoni 3]

Congratulations!!

[Mike's Lucy 14]

good news! congratulations

[o0pink0o 3]

Congratulations!!!

Thank you.. (even if I posted it late.. Fiance is coming in 4 days! argh... got to pack-up and etc etc.. )

yay! you must be super excited then I am happy for you

[redglasses 1]

Congratulations!

[martheena0909 0]

Congratulations!!!

Thank you.. (even if I posted it late.. Fiance is coming in 4 days! argh... got to pack-up and etc etc.. )

yay! you must be super excited then I am happy for you

Yep! excited with my new life's journey... spending time together without worries na of seperation anxiety.. hehehe..

[o0pink0o 3]

Congratulations!!!

Thank you.. (even if I posted it late.. Fiance is coming in 4 days! argh... got to pack-up and etc etc.. )

yay! you must be super excited then I am happy for you

Yep! excited with my new life's journey... spending time together without worries na of seperation anxiety.. hehehe..

Good for you More blessings to come for you and your fiance

[Pez Pez 0]

I was asked to wear the gown. I asked the doctor if i have to take everything off, she said yes. Without questions, I took the gown laid on bed, covered myself from the curtain and changed. I did not wait anymore for the doctor to ask me lay down on bed as obviously the next thing that she is going to do is to check our anatomy .

Oh thank God. For a minute there, I thought she was going to describe the procedure...... I was going to call her and say "Honey! Nakakahiya!" Hehehehe.

[martheena0909 0]

I was asked to wear the gown. I asked the doctor if i have to take everything off, she said yes. Without questions, I took the gown laid on bed, covered myself from the curtain and changed. I did not wait anymore for the doctor to ask me lay down on bed as obviously the next thing that she is going to do is to check our anatomy .

Oh thank God. For a minute there, I thought she was going to describe the procedure...... I was going to call her and say "Honey! Nakakahiya!" Hehehehe.

Yeah, nakakahiya.. but I have to do it anyways..no choice ? Doctors are used to see thousands of em though.. so, i think in my own perspective, okay lang! ( We're talking about the SLEC Doctor checking ... can't say the word... for hemorrhoids)

[Matt & Bing 56]

The security guard took the appointment confirmation letter, checked my passport, and put a stamp on my USEM letter. My last chest x-ray was January '09 as per work requirement, I told the receptionist of this, she asked me of the film but I only have the reading or the result with me. She said, they only take the film not the x-ray reading. So, i have to go through another chest x-ray. Note: Be prepared to fill-up DS 156K form. Have your fiance’s address in your notes in case you can’t memorize it yet, as you have to write it on the DS 156K.

Thanks a lot for sharing!

I'm confused, you needed the DS 156K form for the medical exam?? I thought that was only for the interview at the embassy.

[martheena0909 0]

The security guard took the appointment confirmation letter, checked my passport, and put a stamp on my USEM letter. My last chest x-ray was January '09 as per work requirement, I told the receptionist of this, she asked me of the film but I only have the reading or the result with me. She said, they only take the film not the x-ray reading. So, i have to go through another chest x-ray. Note: Be prepared to fill-up DS 156K form. Have your fiance’s address in your notes in case you can’t memorize it yet, as you have to write it on the DS 156K.

Thanks a lot for sharing!

I'm confused, you needed the DS 156K form for the medical exam?? I thought that was only for the interview at the embassy.

Yes, I was surprised too coz I did not expect it. All my papers were left at my aunt's house ( i just brought the papers I deemed needed for the medical) so I wasn't sure what to write on the field DATE OF TERMINATION OF PREVIOUS MARRIAGE. I got mixed-up on this coz I don't know which date I should write on, whether on the date to where the decision of the court made, the date where the Finality of Judgment was came or the date where it was registered in LCR. Good thing that I have my fiance's address saved on my cellphone's inbox, though I have memorized it already, but it felt good when you know you're sure on what you've write on the form 100% correct.

Along with the DS 156k , is the Patient Date Sheet you need to fill-up. This is the first step of the process. Bring black ballpen.

[pRetTy_aNgeL 1]

Congratulations!!!