My Interview Experience

[Leiy 0]

I woke up at 3am (I only had 1 hour of sleep ). I took a shower while Babe was still in bed and snoring. LOL.

4:55 am- We went downstairs and walked to the Embassy. At exactly 5am we were on the Embassy premises and there were already many people at the waiting area.

5:30am - The guard called for all immigrant visa applicants who had 6:30 am appointments. We fell in line with our appointment letter and valid ID’s. The guard then checked the appointment letter to see if it matched the name on the ID and verified the date and time.

We then moved along to the waiting area with the benches. While sitting at this waiting area we met Mizhael Smith (Zharina and her hubby Mike). Before 6:30am we passed through security and entered the embassy. We presented the appointment letter to a staff member in a small enclosed cubicle (I don’t know what to call it. ) at the entrance to the main visa processing area. A list consisting of Appointment letter, “DS230 form” and 2x2 photos were posted on the front window of this booth. I thought these documents would be needed so I had them ready. The attendant only took the first page of the appointment letter and gave me a number and told me to sit down and wait. She didn’t say that the numbers are flashed on an electronic sign board with the corresponding window number. A sound similar to a door bell is rung to alert the waiting beneficiaries that a new number is being serviced.

We sat and waited for my number to be flashed at the queue board. While we were waiting, expecting to see our number on the board, they called my name on the loud speaker instead. We were told to go to window #16. My fingerprints were taken electronically by a young female staff member.

After finger printing, I was told to return to the waiting area and wait for my number to flash at the queue board. After about 5 minutes passed, my number flashed along with the number of the window in which to proceed .

This is actually a preliminary screening prior to the final interview. The questions posed in this pre-screening interview were:

--- Name?

--- Date of Birth?

--- Place of Birth?

--- Name of husband?

--- Husband’s date of birth?

--- Date of marriage?

--- Where and when did you meet?

--- How many visits the husband made?

--- Where either of you previously married?

--- Do either of you have any children?

--- Do you plan to work in the US?

The pre-screener asked for examples of greeting cards sent by the husband and just 10 photos of the two of us together specifically to include wedding photos. I spent sleepless nights compiling and organizing all my evidence and she just asked for cards and 10 photos. How about that???

After having been interviewed by the pre-screener we were told to go back to the waiting area and wait for our number again for the final interview.

After more than 20 minutes my number along with window # 29 finally flashed on the queue! I don’t know why, but all of a sudden I got butterflies in my stomach! Nervousness attacked me!!! . Good thing, my husband was there to have fun with me because I was very nervous and shaking.

We went in and greeted our consular. He spoke Tagalog fluently. He asked us raise our right hands and swear that the information we were about to give was the truth.

The questions posed in this pre-screening interview were:

--- Names?

--- Date of marriage?

--- Where and when did you meet?

--- Were either you previously married?

--- Where do I intend to live in the US?

The consul was very friendly. He said that he likes when papers are very organized like mine were. He and my husband had a very friendly conversation about where my husband’s home town and the consular’s upcoming job transfer. After flipping all the pages he said magic words “YOU ARE APPROVED”.

My husband asked if we could pick up the visa since we’re staying at the hotel near the embassy. He said yes, gave us a pick-up stub and told us to proceed to Window “Y“. We waited for approximately 5 minutes and my name was called . We then proceeded at Window “Y“. The lady asked for my cell phone number so they could contact me when the visa is ready for pick up. My husband asked if there was a contact number to reach them if we did not hear from them about my Visa. She gave us a card with a contact number.

9:15am- We were done and went straight to the hotel across the street and had breakfast.

Only 6 hours after my interview, I was surprised to get a call from USEM telling me my visa would be ready for pick up the following day. Wow!!! That was fast!!!

My husband and I want to thank everyone that helped us in our “Visa Journey”!!!

[DoneWaiting 15]

Congratulations, now you can sleep..

[Tahoma 2,292]

Congratz Scott and Aloha!

Thanks for sharing your interview experience!

Edited July 6, 2010 by Tahoma

[mrs.B. 0]

wow! congrats again and thanks for sharing. i'm praying my interview will go as easy as that too

[Leiy 0]

Thanks everyone!

Aloha

[timgrace Kohler 0]

Wow congrats. You got your visa and packet the next day for the POE? Or just the pink slip

[Cheyemo 8]

Congratulations! That was very smooth! I am sure you're sleeping now!

[sweet angel 5]

Congrats!!!!

[luckymom 0]

Congratulations on your passing the interview. Good luck on your trip to the USA!!!

[Tahoma 2,292]

Wow congrats. You got your visa and packet the next day for the POE? Or just the pink slip

She got everything!

[marklovetina 52]

sistah!!! wow congratz po!!!!!, many mhuaaaaaaaaaa ang hugz for u!!!!, just woke up hehe and at once read ur post here, i even forwarded it to honey hahaha... thumbs up sis!!! :dance: :thumbs:

[aurora07 6]

Congratulations! I'm inggit! =) Have a safe flight

[DARUMA07 25]

Congrats! Don't forget your CFO stamp...... Have a safe flight to America.....

[Leiy 0]

Thanks again guys!

@ timgrace Kohler...Yes, husband and I picked-up my visa the following day at 9am (July 7th). I was interviewed yesterday (July 6th).

@ Daruma... Thanks for the reminder! After I got the visa packet, I went straight to CFO to get my sticker. Husband and I will depart for the US on the 14th together.

Aloha

[RVIANE♛ 5]

congrats!! have a safe trip