July 28, 2009 interview in Manila...woohooo!

[PinayAmerican 0]

Hello, vjers. Finally, my interview is over. I have waited for it the whole year. And, I'm happy to say that I nailed it. Thanks to those who wish me goodluck and who prayed for me. ^ ^

Here is my interview story:

Since the embassy was closed yesterday, July 27, 2009, the embassy was a bit crowded today. I was expecting that to happen so I went there 2 hours before my actual interview time, which is 8:30. We were asked to fall in line under immigrant visa and the guard checked our appointment letter. My mother wasn't allowed to go inside because of the big number of applicants today. I was in line for about 15-20 minutes. Afterwards, I proceeded to gate number 3 for my things to be scanned. The lady guard checked my perfume, maybe to examine it has the bomb-ability..eheheh! Then, I went to the immigrant visa section of the embassy (followed the blue signs). The guard asked me to sit down with some other people whose schedule is at 8:30. I waited for like an hour before I got my ticket number. Those who had 7:00 schedule were prioritized even though they came in late. I think that wasn't fair. After about 20 minutes, my name was called for finger scanning in window 16. We were asked to rub our hands while in line. hahaha! Like we were freezing. You have to make sure your hands are clean and not wet. I was asked to go back to the waiting area. I was called after 20-25 minutes for pre-screening at window 18. The prescreener asked me these questions:

1. What is your name?

2. When is your birthday?

3. Who is your husband?

4. How did you meet?

5. When did you meet for the first time?

6. How long did he stay on his first visit?

7. Was he/were you married before?

8. Do you have any children?

9. How old are you> I was asked to change my age in my ds230 form..because I had my bday last June.

10. How old is he?

She asked me to show some pictures, emails, chatlogs, etc. I just gave her the clear books I compiled for the interview. They were accepted as they were prepared. ^ ^ We made them fit into the window. The longest wait for me was for my final interview with the consul. I waited for than 30 minutes. Sorry, I'm not so particular with the time as I was seriously watching the numbers flashing on the board. hehe! I was finally called before 11:00 in window 28. I also had a goodlooking consul. He greeted me in tagalog and I find it awesome. hehe! I was asked to raise my right hand to swear. I was asked with so many questions about my husband. I was asked of questions I never thought I would be asked of. But, since I know my husband so well, I did not freak out.

Here are his questions (in random)

1. How long have you known your husband?

2. When did you get married?

3. When was the last time you saw him?

4. What is his job?

5. What was he doing before he becomes an air force? (means, previous job, good thing I remembered his previous company)

6. How did he become a 2nd lt? (wooooo...hahah)

7. How did you meet?

8. Where did he serve a mission?

9. How long was it?

10. How about you? where did you have your mission? Why not? Ahhhh

11. Do you have any children?

etc, etc, etc.

Then, he told me that he appreciates how I organized my stuff and even thanked me for doing so. Then, he smiled and said, my visa is approved. yeah! I was asked to proceed to window 37 to get my PINK slip. I got it and went straight to air21 and paid 205. 00 pesos. I was out of the embassy around 5 minutes before 11 am.

I asked the consul if I can have my married name in my visa or if i can have my name annotated in my visa. He was sorry that he doesn't know if that would work and he asked me to try to ask to the person in window 37. The lady told me that my visa will be in my maiden name as in the passport. hmmmm!

Anyway, it was stressful but I'm glad I made it. woohooo! Xylide and I will be traveling next week. Hope to get my visa soon.

Thanks vjers and good luck to the rest of us. God be with us always!

hi there....CONGRATULATIONS to u for bringing home a pink slip...honesty seems to be the best defense to get it...

anywae, i hope u dont mind sharing to us how u organized ur folders..id like to be complimented too by the consul by the time i have my interview...we (those still waiting for NOA2) would be more than glad to follow ur style...thanks and godbless..

once again,,CONGRATS!

Ok! I will. I will only take pictures of my 2 clear books. As other folders were not asked of, such as affidavit of support folder. But, better be prepared than sorry. I will be posting it later.

[PinayAmerican 0]

As requested, this is how I organized my 2 important clear books. I wasn't asked to show any other proofs aside from these ones. Hope that it helps others on how to be prepared for the interview.

Good luck. I actually prepared too much, but being prepade made me confident enough to be asked of anything. YES! That's the fighting spirit I got. ahhah! Good luck!

[metro420 1]

As requested, this is how I organized my 2 important clear books. I wasn't asked to show any other proofs aside from these ones. Hope that it helps others on how to be prepared for the interview.

Good luck. I actually prepared too much, but being prepade made me confident enough to be asked of anything. YES! That's the fighting spirit I got. ahhah! Good luck!

Wow! Everything is so organized! You are right, it is better to be prepared than sorry! Thanks for the information. Appreciate it!

[-Cinnamon- 0]

God is good, all the time!

Congrats. . .

Thanks for posting your experience.

Have a safe trip, yay!

xoxo

[Steve and Nor 0]

Hi Pinayamerican,

I am so glad you made it!! Thank you for sharing " your being organized' It really helps! Thank you so much. I already put mine in the clearbooks but didnt know what to do with them yet. Now, you give me the idea as to what I am going to write on the first page>

We were approved yesterday and soon will be dealing with NVC journey. I also want to be prepared beforehand.

may God bless you Sis.

[mikeswifey 0]

Congrats... Have a safe trip! God bless !

[Him and I 0]

Yeeeeahhh!!!! Congratulations girl you got it!!! you thought positively !!! Enjoy your trip, your new life, lots of blessings for you two..

[Him and I 0]

As requested, this is how I organized my 2 important clear books. I wasn't asked to show any other proofs aside from these ones. Hope that it helps others on how to be prepared for the interview.

Good luck. I actually prepared too much, but being prepade made me confident enough to be asked of anything. YES! That's the fighting spirit I got. ahhah! Good luck!

Wow girl! your were more than prepared, those books look great, that's why the CO was so happy, I am working on something similar for my interview too, and I'm taking notes from you, you are very nice in sharing this with us, I'm very organized too, and this worth it ! Because I cannot wait to be with my love soon... Congrats again.

[waiting4approval 2]

oh wowwww... so neat and organized.

COngratulations on your visa :-)

[PinayAmerican 0]

thank you so much, guys!

When the pre-screener asks you to show emails, chatlogs, etc, just give the clear books, so you don't have to put those papers out of what you prepared/clear books. I was asked to open the clear book in half so it would fit into their window.

If your marriage certificate has annotation because of a typo error, be sure to be ready with documents that it was already approved. The pre-screener asked me about the annotation, but didn't ask for papers to prove that it was truly corrected. I just had to explain it. Remember every date of your meeting, especially the 1st times. If you met online, be sure to remember the 1st time you met your spouse/fiance online and in person. Know your husband more. Anyway, as long as you provide them good evidences, you will surely be approved. Questions are just for formality sake. Good luck to the rest and May the Lord bless us. Stay positive, this journey has an end.

Edited July 29, 2009 by PinayAmerican