Manila Embassy

[trey 0]

I had a long chat with my fiancee and asked her details of her interview. Thought I'd share it here so others have an idea what to expect. She took her 5 year old son, Nathan, with her and met some other filipinas there who she made friends with. I deleted the personal and trivial items to keep it as short and to the point as possible.

(Don): How did the interview go?

(Aimee): I thought the medical was more stressful but it turned out the opposite

(Don): tell me about the interview pls?

(Aimee): we arrived in the embassy at 5:30 past

(Aimee): and its only me and Nathan who can get inside

(Don): was there a long line already when you got there?

(Aimee): no one can stand outside if you dont have an appointment

(Aimee): yes when we get there the line was so long already

(Don): how many people do you guess were in line?

(Aimee): hmm maybe 50

(Aimee): for the non immigrant and immigrant visa

(Aimee): but if all in all there’s so many

(Aimee): and when we get inside we have to put all our things on a scanner

(Don): yes, like the airport?

(Aimee): and the lady guard said to leave my cell phone and one valid id with them

(Aimee): and they gave me a number ,I will show it to her when I want to get my cell phone back

(Aimee): and when we get inside we ask the other guard where to go next

(Aimee): he said just go straight ahead

(Aimee): we lined there for maybe 5 minutes

(Aimee): then my friend wondered where our other friend go cause she was next to me in line

(Aimee): but its a maximum of 5 persons every time you go inside

(Aimee): we realized then that we were in the wrong line

(Aimee): so we blamed the guard for it

(Aimee): it was a line for the business visa

(Aimee): so we went back on the other door

(Aimee): and there we saw our friend

(Aimee): and she was wondering where we went too

(Aimee): we sat down on the last vacant row

(Aimee): and they said we have to get a number on the ticket booth

(Aimee): so we went there and fall in line

(Aimee): I was bringing all my documents every time I fall in line, and I left Nathan on the chair

(Aimee): then when we fall in line we found out that they need some of our documents so my friends have to go back to our seats and get it

(Aimee): but they cant fall in line again cause the guard notice them that they were in the last row of seat and we did not know that its in order by rows, we cant line in the ticket booth if our row is not yet called

(Aimee): but I am already in the line and I cant get out anyway so I continue there

(Aimee): so I got the ticket number earlier than them

(Aimee): they asked for my passport, I said its with st.lukes and they will forward it to us embassy ,and she said yes

(Aimee): and also they asked for my appointment letter

(Aimee): and for my forms, the ds-156,157

(Aimee): and the proof of payment

(Aimee): they gave me a number and told me to look at the queuing board for my number to be flashed

(Aimee): on the opposite of you number is the number of the window where you will go to

(Aimee): so when I went back to my seat maybe after 5 minutes

(Aimee): my number was flashed already

(Aimee): but my friends is still on their seats and it would still be a while for them to get a ticket number

(Aimee): so when I went to window x

(Aimee): the lady was very nice there

(Aimee): she checked my files , and ask how much I paid for the application fee

(Aimee): I said 5,100

(Aimee): she said if I am bringing my son

(Aimee): I said yes

(Aimee): she said I have to pay another 100 dollars to BPI for my son

(Aimee): I guess I overlooked that

(Don): I must have read wrong someplace. I thought only your would have to pay

(Aimee): I thought so too

(Aimee): cause I have only one packet

(Aimee): once case number and I thought Nathan is just with my visa too

(Don): I think I remember telling you that only you would have to pay. I am sorry Aimee. That is my fault

(Aimee): so I asked where is the nearest BPI bank in the us embassy

(Aimee): they said in padre faura street and advised me to ask the guard for directions

(Aimee): I asked the police on the road where bpi is ,he pointed to a tall building and said its there

(Aimee): so we went there but it was still 8 a.m

(Aimee): so we waited for an hour cause the bank will open at exactly 9 am

(Don): already you have been at embassy 2½ hours

(Aimee): yes

(Aimee): when I get inside the bank I still have to wait again

(Aimee): cause they will check the current dollar rate for that day

(Aimee): they have to check it in the internet

(Aimee): then I went back to us embassy with Nathan

(Aimee): when I get back I am glad I did not start all over back in line, the guard let me in cause I showed them my ticket number already

(Aimee): when we went back inside it was already 10 am

(Aimee): and when I went to window X there’s so many people in line already

(Don): that means you wasted 2 hours

(Aimee): yes

(Aimee): and when the lady saw me she said she is glad im back coz she was about to go to another window where she is assigned

(Don): was she American lady or Filipina?

(Aimee): so I gave her the receipt and she told me to wait for my number to be flashed

(Aimee): she is Filipina

(Aimee): we sat down and Nathan was so sleepy

(Aimee): so Nathan slept ,and it took maybe 30 or 45 minutes for my number to be flashed

(Aimee): and we were told to go to the finger scanning window

(Aimee): I woke up Nathan cause I thought he will need his finger to be scanned too

(Aimee): but its only me that they finger scanned

(Aimee): there were many people on line on the finger scanning too

(Aimee): and the girl said good luck in your interview mam

(Aimee): pls wait for your number to be flashed

(Aimee): yes the girl in the finger scanning window is nice

(Aimee): so we waited again longer this time

(Aimee): it was already maybe 11:30 when my number is flashed to go to window 14

(Aimee): when I went there the Filipino guy asked me to fill up a form

(Aimee): after filling up the form he asked for the affidavit of support

(Aimee): oh first he asked for my birth certificate

(Aimee): then for my NBI clearance

(Aimee): then for nathans birth certificate

(Aimee): then for the affidavit of support

(Don): did he even look at the co-sponsor papers?

(Aimee): no

(Aimee): he did not ask for that

(Aimee): then he ask for pictures

(Aimee): he did not even ask for chats,emails,letters or receipts

(Aimee): only pictures

(Don): the visa or passport size pics?

(Aimee): no our pics

(Aimee): and he asked when did I met you

(Aimee): through where

(Aimee): or what

(Aimee): then he asked if we have met each other in person

(Aimee): and when was the last time we saw each other

(Aimee): I said it was Christmas

(Aimee): then thats all he asked me and he said for me to wait again for my number to be flashed

(Aimee): so we waited again but Nathan have to pee

(Aimee): so we went to the bathroom

(Don): how much was the delbros?

(Aimee): I paid 1,376

(Aimee): they said bayawan is far that’s why its expensive

(Aimee): it was 10 minutes to 12 when my number is flashed again to go to window 28

(Aimee): it was the American consul there

(Aimee): but we have to wait first cause he is interviewing two girls

(Aimee): I asked the guard if they have noon break

(Aimee): the guard said yes at 12noon they will be closed

(Aimee): so I was hoping I could be done, but it was already 10 minutes to 12

(Aimee): when it was my turn the consul asked how am I this morning

(Aimee): I said imp fine

(Aimee): he said good, I will be with you in a minute

(Aimee): he was gone for a while then he went back

(Aimee): then he saw Nathan

(Aimee): he said hi

(Aimee): are you Nathan

(Aimee): Nathan smiled and he thought it was you cause he is speaking your language

(Aimee): he nod

(Aimee): and the consul said hi Nathan

(Aimee): he laughed and asked me mommy is that don’s

(Aimee): I said no

(Aimee): the consul asked Nathan is this you in the picture Nathan

(Aimee): Nathan just keep laughing and nodded

(Aimee): cause the consul was pointing to his picture in the form

(Aimee): the consul asked me whats my fiancés name

(Aimee): when did we meet through what

(Aimee): whats your job?

(Aimee): he returned some pictures of us he said its not needed

(Aimee): he asked if you were married

(Aimee): I said yes but you are divorced already

(Aimee): he asked if I am married

(Aimee): I said no and I gave the cenomar but they did not take it

(Aimee): take it

(Aimee): and he encode something in the computer and his friend another American consul went to him for their lunch and he said I will just get this done

(Aimee): so he said this is enough enjoy your stay at the united states mam

(Aimee): you can have your lunch and go back and wait for your number to be called to pay for the delbros

(Aimee): so it was so easy

(Aimee): when we ate lunch that’s the time you called

(Aimee): when I get back just in time for my number to be called

(Aimee): I went to window 37

(Don): did they keep any of the personal papers I sent like the financial papers for me?

(Don): like the letter from my boss...phone receipts?

(Aimee): and I saw my documents and my passport with a pink paper that says Approved

(Aimee): then they told me to pay delbros

(Aimee): and I paid 1,376 there and finally got out

(Don): what time was it when you got out?

(Aimee): yes they kept your affidavit of support

(Aimee): it was 2;30

(Don): 9 hours

(Aimee): yes

(Don): minus 2 wasted hours

(Don): actually, 3 hours counting the lunch hour

(Aimee): yes

[Jasman0717 9]

Nice post. Claudeth forgot to get her German police report translated so had to run all over Manila to get that done. When she brought it back to the embassy at about 1:30 the only window that was open was window X. She was supposed to drop it off at windows 17 thru 19 or something but they were closed and wouldn't open again until Monday. She was set to leave to go back to CDO Saturday morning so asked the fellow at window X to take the translation. The guy agreed to but all he did was let it lie there and so it sat there for almost a month. I finally called and talked to a lady at ext. 5184 who went to window X and found the translation. Three days later Claudeth had the visa. It can be a huge drag if you don't have everything all set up when you go to the embassy. Hopefully this post and Claudeth's experience will help others. Good luck to all going through Manila!

[Gomez 3]

(Aimee): she said I have to pay another 100 dollars to BPI for my son

What is BPI?

Thanx

Gomez

[annie19 0]

(Aimee): she said I have to pay another 100 dollars to BPI for my son

What is BPI?

Thanx

Gomez

BPI (BANK of the Philippine ISland)

where we pay the $100 visa application fee for interview. (K1)

*julie

[Gomez 3]

So its a $100 for the applicant and another $100 for child attending?

Gomez

[trey 0]

So its a $100 for the applicant and another $100 for child attending?

Gomez

Yes. $100 for your fiancee is $100 for each child included in the petition.

[Gomez 3]

So its a $100 for the applicant and another $100 for child attending?

Gomez

Yes. $100 for your fiancee is $100 for each child included in the petition.

I didnt know that. Thanx

Regards,

Gomes

[Madison Man 0]

I had a long chat with my fiancee and asked her details of her interview. Thought I'd share it here so others have an idea what to expect. She took her 5 year old son, Nathan, with her and met some other filipinas there who she made friends with. I deleted the personal and trivial items to keep it as short and to the point as possible.

(Don): How did the interview go?

(Aimee): I thought the medical was more stressful but it turned out the opposite

(Don): tell me about the interview pls?

(Aimee): we arrived in the embassy at 5:30 past

(Aimee): and its only me and Nathan who can get inside

(Don): was there a long line already when you got there?

(Aimee): no one can stand outside if you dont have an appointment

(Aimee): yes when we get there the line was so long already

(Don): how many people do you guess were in line?

(Aimee): hmm maybe 50

(Aimee): for the non immigrant and immigrant visa

(Aimee): but if all in all there’s so many

(Aimee): and when we get inside we have to put all our things on a scanner

(Don): yes, like the airport?

(Aimee): and the lady guard said to leave my cell phone and one valid id with them

(Aimee): and they gave me a number ,I will show it to her when I want to get my cell phone back

(Aimee): and when we get inside we ask the other guard where to go next

(Aimee): he said just go straight ahead

(Aimee): we lined there for maybe 5 minutes

(Aimee): then my friend wondered where our other friend go cause she was next to me in line

(Aimee): but its a maximum of 5 persons every time you go inside

(Aimee): we realized then that we were in the wrong line

(Aimee): so we blamed the guard for it

(Aimee): it was a line for the business visa

(Aimee): so we went back on the other door

(Aimee): and there we saw our friend

(Aimee): and she was wondering where we went too

(Aimee): we sat down on the last vacant row

(Aimee): and they said we have to get a number on the ticket booth

(Aimee): so we went there and fall in line

(Aimee): I was bringing all my documents every time I fall in line, and I left Nathan on the chair

(Aimee): then when we fall in line we found out that they need some of our documents so my friends have to go back to our seats and get it

(Aimee): but they cant fall in line again cause the guard notice them that they were in the last row of seat and we did not know that its in order by rows, we cant line in the ticket booth if our row is not yet called

(Aimee): but I am already in the line and I cant get out anyway so I continue there

(Aimee): so I got the ticket number earlier than them

(Aimee): they asked for my passport, I said its with st.lukes and they will forward it to us embassy ,and she said yes

(Aimee): and also they asked for my appointment letter

(Aimee): and for my forms, the ds-156,157

(Aimee): and the proof of payment

(Aimee): they gave me a number and told me to look at the queuing board for my number to be flashed

(Aimee): on the opposite of you number is the number of the window where you will go to

(Aimee): so when I went back to my seat maybe after 5 minutes

(Aimee): my number was flashed already

(Aimee): but my friends is still on their seats and it would still be a while for them to get a ticket number

(Aimee): so when I went to window x

(Aimee): the lady was very nice there

(Aimee): she checked my files , and ask how much I paid for the application fee

(Aimee): I said 5,100

(Aimee): she said if I am bringing my son

(Aimee): I said yes

(Aimee): she said I have to pay another 100 dollars to BPI for my son

(Aimee): I guess I overlooked that

(Don): I must have read wrong someplace. I thought only your would have to pay

(Aimee): I thought so too

(Aimee): cause I have only one packet

(Aimee): once case number and I thought Nathan is just with my visa too

(Don): I think I remember telling you that only you would have to pay. I am sorry Aimee. That is my fault

(Aimee): so I asked where is the nearest BPI bank in the us embassy

(Aimee): they said in padre faura street and advised me to ask the guard for directions

(Aimee): I asked the police on the road where bpi is ,he pointed to a tall building and said its there

(Aimee): so we went there but it was still 8 a.m

(Aimee): so we waited for an hour cause the bank will open at exactly 9 am

(Don): already you have been at embassy 2½ hours

(Aimee): yes

(Aimee): when I get inside the bank I still have to wait again

(Aimee): cause they will check the current dollar rate for that day

(Aimee): they have to check it in the internet

(Aimee): then I went back to us embassy with Nathan

(Aimee): when I get back I am glad I did not start all over back in line, the guard let me in cause I showed them my ticket number already

(Aimee): when we went back inside it was already 10 am

(Aimee): and when I went to window X there’s so many people in line already

(Don): that means you wasted 2 hours

(Aimee): yes

(Aimee): and when the lady saw me she said she is glad im back coz she was about to go to another window where she is assigned

(Don): was she American lady or Filipina?

(Aimee): so I gave her the receipt and she told me to wait for my number to be flashed

(Aimee): she is Filipina

(Aimee): we sat down and Nathan was so sleepy

(Aimee): so Nathan slept ,and it took maybe 30 or 45 minutes for my number to be flashed

(Aimee): and we were told to go to the finger scanning window

(Aimee): I woke up Nathan cause I thought he will need his finger to be scanned too

(Aimee): but its only me that they finger scanned

(Aimee): there were many people on line on the finger scanning too

(Aimee): and the girl said good luck in your interview mam

(Aimee): pls wait for your number to be flashed

(Aimee): yes the girl in the finger scanning window is nice

(Aimee): so we waited again longer this time

(Aimee): it was already maybe 11:30 when my number is flashed to go to window 14

(Aimee): when I went there the Filipino guy asked me to fill up a form

(Aimee): after filling up the form he asked for the affidavit of support

(Aimee): oh first he asked for my birth certificate

(Aimee): then for my NBI clearance

(Aimee): then for nathans birth certificate

(Aimee): then for the affidavit of support

(Don): did he even look at the co-sponsor papers?

(Aimee): no

(Aimee): he did not ask for that

(Aimee): then he ask for pictures

(Aimee): he did not even ask for chats,emails,letters or receipts

(Aimee): only pictures

(Don): the visa or passport size pics?

(Aimee): no our pics

(Aimee): and he asked when did I met you

(Aimee): through where

(Aimee): or what

(Aimee): then he asked if we have met each other in person

(Aimee): and when was the last time we saw each other

(Aimee): I said it was Christmas

(Aimee): then thats all he asked me and he said for me to wait again for my number to be flashed

(Aimee): so we waited again but Nathan have to pee

(Aimee): so we went to the bathroom

(Don): how much was the delbros?

(Aimee): I paid 1,376

(Aimee): they said bayawan is far that’s why its expensive

(Aimee): it was 10 minutes to 12 when my number is flashed again to go to window 28

(Aimee): it was the American consul there

(Aimee): but we have to wait first cause he is interviewing two girls

(Aimee): I asked the guard if they have noon break

(Aimee): the guard said yes at 12noon they will be closed

(Aimee): so I was hoping I could be done, but it was already 10 minutes to 12

(Aimee): when it was my turn the consul asked how am I this morning

(Aimee): I said imp fine

(Aimee): he said good, I will be with you in a minute

(Aimee): he was gone for a while then he went back

(Aimee): then he saw Nathan

(Aimee): he said hi

(Aimee): are you Nathan

(Aimee): Nathan smiled and he thought it was you cause he is speaking your language

(Aimee): he nod

(Aimee): and the consul said hi Nathan

(Aimee): he laughed and asked me mommy is that don’s

(Aimee): I said no

(Aimee): the consul asked Nathan is this you in the picture Nathan

(Aimee): Nathan just keep laughing and nodded

(Aimee): cause the consul was pointing to his picture in the form

(Aimee): the consul asked me whats my fiancés name

(Aimee): when did we meet through what

(Aimee): whats your job?

(Aimee): he returned some pictures of us he said its not needed

(Aimee): he asked if you were married

(Aimee): I said yes but you are divorced already

(Aimee): he asked if I am married

(Aimee): I said no and I gave the cenomar but they did not take it

(Aimee): take it

(Aimee): and he encode something in the computer and his friend another American consul went to him for their lunch and he said I will just get this done

(Aimee): so he said this is enough enjoy your stay at the united states mam

(Aimee): you can have your lunch and go back and wait for your number to be called to pay for the delbros

(Aimee): so it was so easy

(Aimee): when we ate lunch that’s the time you called

(Aimee): when I get back just in time for my number to be called

(Aimee): I went to window 37

(Don): did they keep any of the personal papers I sent like the financial papers for me?

(Don): like the letter from my boss...phone receipts?

(Aimee): and I saw my documents and my passport with a pink paper that says Approved

(Aimee): then they told me to pay delbros

(Aimee): and I paid 1,376 there and finally got out

(Don): what time was it when you got out?

(Aimee): yes they kept your affidavit of support

(Aimee): it was 2;30

(Don): 9 hours

(Aimee): yes

(Don): minus 2 wasted hours

(Don): actually, 3 hours counting the lunch hour

(Aimee): yes

Hey...My Girl is from Bayawan too. Hope our luck is as good as yours