K1 Visa, Consul in Manila thought we where cousins

[marianath 27]

Hello VJ Friends,

My Fiance just got interviwed today at the US Consulate in Manila everything went well except that the consul wants to check if we are cousins / blood related.

The consul was asking because she applied for a Tourist Visa previously but got denied, on the document she said that she will be visitng and staying with an Auntie...pls. bear in mind that Filipino's as a sign of respect calls every older female Auntie so she called my Aunt ( she is also not my aunt ) her aunt...

We are honest and declared that she did apply for a tourist visa but got denied.

She tried to explain to the consul about the situation but I think she did not convey the message well. Basically explaining that it is our culture and as a sign of respect that we call every elder Aunt or Uncle.

She told me that the consul was very nice even told her not to worry that it is not something that her visa will denied he just wanted to be sure that we are not really relatives since it will be an issue if we are. The consul also told her that they are there to help us and fix everything even before she leaves so there will be no further issues on our next interview here in the USA.

The consul asked basic questions and did not even ask for our pictures, he asked how we communicate and my Fiance explained thru Skype, Facebook, emails and regularly in Viber. She said that he looked at our printed viber messages which was ton and laughed "Woaahh this is a lot and I will not read this

The Consul did not tell her if it was approved or denied just said that they will ahve to check about us being NOT cousins....

He then instructed her to go to window 5, in the window the Lady told her to just wait for her passport and visa. My Fiance was surprised so she asked the lady if it was approved, the lady then said what did the Consul say ? wait and they will email us instructions or if they need anything.

Her passport was never given back, it was still with the USA Embassy.

Now we are worried, we do not know what to do..

We are both being positive that they will approve the visa because we are not really blood related.

Does anyone have any opinion on what would happen next, we would like to be with each other ASAP and it is very frustrating that a minor error might affect our future together.

Thank you very much.

Nathaniel and Marian

[Darnell 8,478]

you can email Manila IV via their webform email thingie and inquire about it.

[marianath 27]

you can email Manila IV via their webform email thingie and inquire about it.

I guess waiting game for us... since it only happened this morning, and they said wait within 2 weeks... i will email them by that time if they have not sent us anything.

Anyone with a similar or close experience ?

[Shauneg 762]

I am sure they are more than aware of the auntie/uncle thing. But saying it amongst friends and family is completely different than putting it on a legal document. They kept the visa so it's a good thing it sounds like.

[marianath 27]

Yes it was a good thing that they kept her passport. Now we wait.

[CaliforniaBae 3]

It's a good sign that they kept the passport without giving you any 221(g) paper. Maybe they will do a background check. I hope they can see for themselves that you are not really related soon so your fiancee can get her visa already.

[marianath 27]

It's a good sign that they kept the passport without giving you any 221(g) paper. Maybe they will do a background check. I hope they can see for themselves that you are not really related soon so your fiancee can get her visa already.

I was checking CEAC website and it says (see below), I am really anxious now....did not sleep last night at all.

U.S. Department of State

NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION

Ready

Application ID or Case Number: Case Creation Date: 26-Aug-2015 Status Updated Date: 26-Aug-2015

Your case is open. Please check your status after two business days via the CEAC launch page at https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/.

For more information, please visit U.S. Embassy Manila.

[Darnell 8,478]

keep checking the 'Status Updated Date:' when the IV unit is open...

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to Phil. Regional Forum~

~Inquiry is country-specific~

[marianath 27]

keep checking the 'Status Updated Date:' when the IV unit is open...

Yes, I will keep checking... I am in Zombie mode right now...did not get enought sleep. Cannot wait for evening to arrive beacuse of time difference so that I can check the status again...

I do hope everything is ok and we will not have a big of a delay. I kept on checking also the email that we provided for the DS160 and we have not received anything from the Embassy yet.

Being positive here....but it is really nerve racking !!!

~Moved from K1 Process to Phil. Regional Forum~

~Inquiry is country-specific~

Thank you for moving to the correct subforum.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Hello VJ Friends,

My Fiance just got interviwed today at the US Consulate in Manila everything went well except that the consul wants to check if we are cousins / blood related.

The consul was asking because she applied for a Tourist Visa previously but got denied, on the document she said that she will be visitng and staying with an Auntie...pls. bear in mind that Filipino's as a sign of respect calls every older female Auntie so she called my Aunt ( she is also not my aunt ) her aunt...

We are honest and declared that she did apply for a tourist visa but got denied.

She tried to explain to the consul about the situation but I think she did not convey the message well. Basically explaining that it is our culture and as a sign of respect that we call every elder Aunt or Uncle.

She told me that the consul was very nice even told her not to worry that it is not something that her visa will denied he just wanted to be sure that we are not really relatives since it will be an issue if we are. The consul also told her that they are there to help us and fix everything even before she leaves so there will be no further issues on our next interview here in the USA.

The consul asked basic questions and did not even ask for our pictures, he asked how we communicate and my Fiance explained thru Skype, Facebook, emails and regularly in Viber. She said that he looked at our printed viber messages which was ton and laughed "Woaahh this is a lot and I will not read this

The Consul did not tell her if it was approved or denied just said that they will ahve to check about us being NOT cousins....

He then instructed her to go to window 5, in the window the Lady told her to just wait for her passport and visa. My Fiance was surprised so she asked the lady if it was approved, the lady then said what did the Consul say ? wait and they will email us instructions or if they need anything.

Her passport was never given back, it was still with the USA Embassy.

Now we are worried, we do not know what to do..

We are both being positive that they will approve the visa because we are not really blood related.

Does anyone have any opinion on what would happen next, we would like to be with each other ASAP and it is very frustrating that a minor error might affect our future together.

Thank you very much.

Nathaniel and Marian

It's just like the CO said. They need to verify one issue and if the issue is false then you have passed. Keeping the passport and not giving it back to you at the time of the interview indicates that your status as it stand is APPROVED.... BUt pending further research. Relax... and let this play out before your on the phone or send emails. It's part of the process.

Take a deep breath. Relaxxxxx....

[marianath 27]

It's just like the CO said. They need to verify one issue and if the issue is false then you have passed. Keeping the passport and not giving it back to you at the time of the interview indicates that your status as it stand is APPROVED.... BUt pending further research. Relax... and let this play out before your on the phone or send emails. It's part of the process.

Take a deep breath. Relaxxxxx....

wwwooooozzzaaaaahhhhh... trying to relax....

Thank you for the kind and positive comment.

Status said check in the nex 2 days... come on 2 days come on !!!

I do hope their research is quick...fast...pronto !! lol

[marianath 27]

One more day ... one more day... uuurrrrrgggghhh !!!

I hope CEAC Status changes to a better status other than ready....

[CaliforniaBae 3]

One more day ... one more day... uuurrrrrgggghhh !!!

I hope CEAC Status changes to a better status other than ready....

Relax. It's case to case. Ours was on Ready for 10 days, then AP 2 days then Issued. Just keep checking. I understand how awful the waiting game is.

[marianath 27]

Thank you for the kind words... yes it is really nerve racking !!!