My USEM Manila Interview Experience

[mwilliams 3]

After all the stress and long wait, it's finally over.

My appointment was for 6:15 am. My husband and I arrived at the embassy at 530. There were different lines separated by purpose and appointment time so we just asked the guard where to go for my schedule. After lining up, I realized I left my pen and my pictures, my husband had to go back to the hotel to get the pictures though in the end I did not need them. The pen was also only used twice, filling out the 2GO form and for the signature for DS230.

By 615, the line started to move forward. Near the gate there was some confusion because nobody was managing the lines but got fixed after some minutes. So at the gate, the person looked at the first page of my appointment letter, circled the time and then gave me the 2GO form. He also placed my passport in a transparent zip lock.

Almost 7am: First door to the embassy building was for security check where they really confiscated mobile phones and some items which are not allowed, most people had to go out and give their phones to friends or vendors outside for safe keeping. Some just threw the small stuff in the trash like lighter or perfume. Actually there were warnings about that even outside, the vendors were saying them repeatedly but the people in my line were saying like maybe it's not true, I, on the other hand,knew that it's not allowed so when someone asked me what I think I just say I read that it's not allowed so it's better not to have any of those things which are on the list.

After security, we went straight to the windows where they asked me if I already had my medical and what things they gave me, after that she just put number 1 on my appointment letter and stapled 6088(my number for the queue) and asked me to drop it at Window 39. We went straight to another building and there's another security check, after that, there was a woman waiting for people and she just collected our app letter instead of dropping it at Window 39. We sat down and waited for my number to be called.

At around 830: my number was called at Window 45. I wasn't expecting that it was already the Filipino consul waiting for me so my husband wasn't there beside me when I did the pre-screening but she said it's fine and just have him with me during the final interview. It took more than ten minutes for the pre-screening. The only document she asked was the 2011 tax form and then she looked at our pictures. She asked me the name of my husband, where I met him, his age, date of marriage, what he does, his first marriage and why it ended, about my in-laws, size of household. She was focused on the documents and was just taking notes. After that she just asked me to wait for my number to be called again.

Around 915: I was called at Window 42 for finger printing. My fingers were a little sweaty because of the mixed emotions so I had to do it twice hehe.

Around 10: I was called for the interview with the American consul at Window 64. My husband came with me this time. The consul gave me the pamphlet regarding domestic violence after the oath. Only two questions were asked to me, date of marriage and if I've been abroad before. He asked my husband where we intend to stay when we get to the US and that's it. After a minute of looking at the documents, he said 'everything looks good, please be seated again and wait for further instructions. That's it! No additional documents were asked. I brought a copy of my NBI, marriage cert, cenomar (which was not sent to NVC), birth cert and many more but they did not ask for them and my husband was just laughing at me because I printed so many copies of so many things, I wanted to be very sure and I don't regret it. hehe

At 10:10, our number was called again at window 71, the person there just said everything is ok now and just wait for my visa to be delivered, she then asked us to give our 2GO form at window 69 and I opted for pick up at one of their branches. We were out of the embassy by 1030.

I felt so good after that, my feet were a bit sore because I wore sandals with heels haha, and I was really tired because I didn't get much sleep the night before. Now, I can sleep better. This whole process has been stressful especially the month before the interview but it all went well. Just make sure to submit everything to NVC and you won't have a problem during the interview. And of course, pray a lot.

Thank you to my VJ family for all the help. Daghang salamat!

[The Mean Lady 604]

Congrats!

I seriously thought this said 'I used a Manila Envelope Express' until I clicked on the thread and thought 'there's no way a story about a manila envelope could be this long'

Edited December 3, 2012 by KDubovik

[mwilliams 3]

Congrats!

I seriously thought this said 'I used a Manila Envelope Express' until I clicked on the thread and thought 'there's no way a story about a manila envelope could be this long'

Ahahaha Thanks

[bigdog 376]

:thumbs:Congratulations.

[wilfon 30]

After all the stress and long wait, it's finally over.

My appointment was for 6:15 am. My husband and I arrived at the embassy at 530. There were different lines separated by purpose and appointment time so we just asked the guard where to go for my schedule. After lining up, I realized I left my pen and my pictures, my husband had to go back to the hotel to get the pictures though in the end I did not need them. The pen was also only used twice, filling out the 2GO form and for the signature for DS230.

By 615, the line started to move forward. Near the gate there was some confusion because nobody was managing the lines but got fixed after some minutes. So at the gate, the person looked at the first page of my appointment letter, circled the time and then gave me the 2GO form. He also placed my passport in a transparent zip lock.

Almost 7am: First door to the embassy building was for security check where they really confiscated mobile phones and some items which are not allowed, most people had to go out and give their phones to friends or vendors outside for safe keeping. Some just threw the small stuff in the trash like lighter or perfume. Actually there were warnings about that even outside, the vendors were saying them repeatedly but the people in my line were saying like maybe it's not true, I, on the other hand,knew that it's not allowed so when someone asked me what I think I just say I read that it's not allowed so it's better not to have any of those things which are on the list.

After security, we went straight to the windows where they asked me if I already had my medical and what things they gave me, after that she just put number 1 on my appointment letter and stapled 6088(my number for the queue) and asked me to drop it at Window 39. We went straight to another building and there's another security check, after that, there was a woman waiting for people and she just collected our app letter instead of dropping it at Window 39. We sat down and waited for my number to be called.

At around 830: my number was called at Window 45. I wasn't expecting that it was already the Filipino consul waiting for me so my husband wasn't there beside me when I did the pre-screening but she said it's fine and just have him with me during the final interview. It took more than ten minutes for the pre-screening. The only document she asked was the 2011 tax form and then she looked at our pictures. She asked me the name of my husband, where I met him, his age, date of marriage, what he does, his first marriage and why it ended, about my in-laws, size of household. She was focused on the documents and was just taking notes. After that she just asked me to wait for my number to be called again.

Around 915: I was called at Window 42 for finger printing. My fingers were a little sweaty because of the mixed emotions so I had to do it twice hehe.

Around 10: I was called for the interview with the American consul at Window 64. My husband came with me this time. The consul gave me the pamphlet regarding domestic violence after the oath. Only two questions were asked to me, date of marriage and if I've been abroad before. He asked my husband where we intend to stay when we get to the US and that's it. After a minute of looking at the documents, he said 'everything looks good, please be seated again and wait for further instructions. That's it! No additional documents were asked. I brought a copy of my NBI, marriage cert, cenomar (which was not sent to NVC), birth cert and many more but they did not ask for them and my husband was just laughing at me because I printed so many copies of so many things, I wanted to be very sure and I don't regret it. hehe

At 10:10, our number was called again at window 71, the person there just said everything is ok now and just wait for my visa to be delivered, she then asked us to give our 2GO form at window 69 and I opted for pick up at one of their branches. We were out of the embassy by 1030.

I felt so good after that, my feet were a bit sore because I wore sandals with heels haha, and I was really tired because I didn't get much sleep the night before. Now, I can sleep better. This whole process has been stressful especially the month before the interview but it all went well. Just make sure to submit everything to NVC and you won't have a problem during the interview. And of course, pray a lot.

Thank you to my VJ family for all the help. Daghang salamat!

Congratulations and thank you for the great review. One question, I heard that the USC can bring their cell phone with them into the Embassy, can you confirm this? Thank you again.

[masipag 6]

Congrats!!I am confuse you said you have a husband meaning you are married but why you have "CENOMAR"?

[auchybitchy 0]

Congrats!!! Mind me if i ask what do you mean 2011 tax form?

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

[Memphis 26]

Thanks for sharing. Congrats!

[Memphis 26]

Congrats!!I am confuse you said you have a husband meaning you are married but why you have "CENOMAR"?

[/quote

Even if you are married, you can still get a CENOMAR using your maiden name, BUT all of your previous and present marriages will be listed (Advisory on Marriage/ CEMAR)- this is what the US Consul will be looking at..based on the experiences of most VJ members before..

Edited December 3, 2012 by Memphis

[mwilliams 3]

Congratulations and thank you for the great review. One question, I heard that the USC can bring their cell phone with them into the Embassy, can you confirm this? Thank you again.

My husband didn't bring his phone and so I can't answer that question accurately. Just to be safe, better leave all electronics at home/hotel.

Congrats!!I am confuse you said you have a husband meaning you are married but why you have "CENOMAR"?

Sometimes they ask for CENOMAR or actually it's CEMAR for married people. They did not get it though I was ready just in case.

[mwilliams 3]

Congrats!!! Mind me if i ask what do you mean 2011 tax form?

Hi! It's the Income Tax Return. They asked for the latest year.

[mwilliams 3]

Thanks for sharing. Congrats!

hehe Thanks. Hopefully my kababayans will find this post helpful.

[Bumbero 130]

Congratulations!!

[auchybitchy 0]

Hi! It's the Income Tax Return. They asked for the latest year.

- hi.. My ITR or my husband ITR? Thank u