The Interview Begins

[Melsy Anh 3]

wow, she is well-prepared congrats

[Hank_ 9,174]

Candy and I had a long Skype chat this morning so I have some more specifics.

First of all, we have three red flags. Candy specifically asked me to not buy her an engagement ring, as she considers it a waste of money, and she would rather see the money in the bank. Second, we met only once. Third, this is my third K-1 journey. Although I prepared her to deal with these red flags, none of them came up.

As I mentioned before, Candy wore professional business attire. DId it make a difference? I don't know and never will know. But I do know that she breezed through the day and was out of there by 11 AM.

I think the biggest help is that Candy was proactive, reading the mood of the interviewers and being ready for where they were going with each question. For example, when the Filipino consulate asked her how we keep in touch, she repied Skype, Yahoo Messenger, phone and emal. Then without being asked for the records, Candy handed them in. The CO looked at page 1 of each, and that was the end of it. Perhaps the CO looked at them more carefully in the back, but she did not open them up and cross examine Candy on them. She did do that to the ladies who were not proactive. One even got a 221(g) for insufficient evidence of an ongoing relationship.

The only documents she examined in Candy's presence were the mandatory ones, like the affidavit of support.

By the time Candy got to the American consulate, after the oath and the usual yada yada yada, the CO asked one question: "Do you love him". Answer: "Yes very much". Approved. End of interview.

Well dressed, well rehearsed, well prepared and well executed. It all paid off big time.

I only see one potential red flag there and that being your 3rd K-1 (... you should be an absolute pro at this by now... )

Only meeting once is more of the norm then the except, and the embassy really doesn't care about jewelry ... so no red flags there.

I think the pre-interview with the Filipino has a big impact on the process also, I know when we were there he chatted and asked us a variety of questions, very much aimed at securing info about our relationship. He was very pleasant about it and we had fun, but I think he queues the CO to potential issues.

The rest is showing up being confident, self-assured, smiling and looking them in the eyes when speaking. Which I am sure Candy did with style. (and of course having everything listed in the instructions letter)

Edited May 20, 2014 by Hank_

[Al422 221]

Yep she did all that. Despite being her first K-1, she has had 4 OFW placements and has done OFW placements herself at the request of foreign clients. So with interviewing experience at both ends of the table, she knows what to look for,

My 2 prior K-1s ended before they got this far. One ended a week before the med exam, and the other ended 3 days after NOA2. You may have noticed that I was not asking a whole heck of a lot of questions until the med exam came into range, as I was indeed a pro at the rest of the stuff. But once the med exam hit, I was in uncharted waters and started asking lots of questions.

Next is the CFO. She is doing that tomorrow. If you are asking if maybe she wants some rest, I asked the same question and got a big fat NO. She is on a roll now and has no intention of stopping until everything is done.

Once the visa is in, the New York Express will be on its way.

Edited May 20, 2014 by Al422

[Hank_ 9,174]

Yep she did all that. Despite being her first K-1, she has had 4 OFW placements and has done OFW placements herself at the request of foreign clients. So with interviewing experience at both ends of the table, she knows what to look for,

My 2 prior K-1s ended before they got this far. One ended a week before the med exam, and the other ended 3 days after NOA2. You may have noticed that I was not asking a whole heck of a lot of questions until the med exam came into range, as I was indeed a pro at the rest of the stuff. But once the med exam hit, I was in uncharted waters and started asking lots of questions.

Next is the CFO. She is doing that tomorrow. If you are asking if maybe she wants some rest, I asked the same question and got a big fat NO. She is on a roll now and has no intention of stopping until everything is done.

Once the visa is in, the New York Express will be on its way.

Well that explains why even the two prior K-1s were not really much of a red flag... they never got past petitioning. (curiosity has me wondering but I won't ask )

CFO for most is not a big issue, just a few hours out of one's day. Biggest issue my wife had was she forgot her folder on the coffee table at home, luckily they let her start the seminar while her friend headed home to retrieve the folder and I just sat around outside BS-ing with the guard.

Edited May 20, 2014 by Hank_

[Al422 221]

Well that explains why even the two prior K-1s were not really much of a red flag... they never got past petitioning. (curiosity has me wondering but I won't ask )

CFO for most is not a big issue, just a few hours out of one's day. Biggest issue my wife had was she forgot her folder on the coffee table at home, luckily they let her start the seminar while her friend headed home to retrieve the folder and I just sat around outside BS-ing with the guard.

Kind of tough for me since I am in New York. But her security detail, her nephew from the province, who has been accompanying her to all events to date, will be with her.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Kind of tough for me since I am in New York. But her security detail, her nephew from the province, who has been accompanying her to all events to date, will be with her.

Once I got the MNL # I packed up and flew over, then once the visa was in hand we relaxed for another month before flying back.

Few more weeks and things will finally settle down for you.

[Al422 221]

I have a busy demanding job here in New York, and there is also the matter of the cancer. I can't wander too far from my oncologist for that long of a time.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I have a busy demanding job here in New York, and there is also the matter of the cancer. I can't wander too far from my oncologist for that long of a time.

I remember all too well those days of dealing with the oncologist and chemo ... didn't come with a very long leash for sure.

[Al422 221]

Right now I am going every two weeks, and it is in remission. So I have no plans on stopping any time soon.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Right now I am going every two weeks, and it is in remission. So I have no plans on stopping any time soon.

That is good to hear.