F2A US EMBASSY MANILA VISA INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

[Mockingjay 10]

I had my interview today, 08th of January 2016; 6:15 am schedule at US Embassy Manila. Flew all the way from Davao, I stayed at Bayview Park Hotel Manila, its located just across the street of USEM Manila

To start with, these are the things I brought with me in preparation with the interview:

1. ??Passport (valid in 6 months)

2. ??Photocopy of passport biographic page

3. ??Cenomar (petitioner)

4. ??Cenomar (beneficiary)

5. ??Birth certificate (petitioner)

6. ??Birth certificate (beneficiary)

7. ??Police clearance

8. ??NBI clearance (valid in 6 months)

9. ??Financial Proofs

- ??Latest ITR

- ??Latest W2

- ??Employment certificate

10. ??DS260 copy

11. ??Sealed Medical Result from SLEC

12. ??Interview letter

13. ??Passport size (2x2) photo 4 pieces

14. ??Marriage Certificate

15. ??Proof of Relationship

- ??Wedding pictures

- ??Photos together

- ??Chatlogs ( from start of relationship to current chats)

- ??proof of financial support

- ??plane tickets and/or passport stamps (records of previous visit)

- ??affidavit of witness (3 persons)

16. ??Affidavit of Support

I went to USEM Manila at 5:00am, the line was already long, there are separate lines for SEAMAN/IMMIGRANTS/NON IMMIGRANTS. Then at 6:00am, they started checking and allowing applicants to go inside. The things that first checked before you get inside were: DS260, INTERVIEW LETTER and PASSPORT. Then, you will be instructed to go inside and pass through the scanner. Remember, electronic gadgets are not allowed (Flash drive, cellphone, tab, laptop, etc.) and also food and drinks are not allowed (but you can bring candies).

Step 1: Proceed at window 2 for priority number. You will be asked who's your petitioner and the petitioner's DOB.

Step 2: Before proceeding with the second step at the main building where the whole process takes, you will pass through a scanner again and bags will be checked by a guard this time. Proceed at pre-screening/Finger scanning area. Finger scanning first, then I was asked with few questions (Petitioner's name/DOB/ How did the petitioner get into the USA). And also asked if did I applied for a visa before, my answer was yes, I applied for a tourist visa before and yet it was denied. Then he collected few of my requirements (Cenomar/ NBI Clearance/ Marriage Certificate/ SLEC Sealed Medical Result).

Step 3: Then, I was instructed to proceed with Oath taking. It was an American lady. Then another set of finger scanning.

Step 4: Then, the most awaited interview with the American consul. I was luckily assigned to a male, smiling, kind and handsome consul. Questions asked to me were:

CO: State your name and your birthdate

ME: <stated>

CO: Who's your petitioner?

ME: My husband. <stated name>

CO: DOB of petitioner

ME: <stated>

CO: How did he get into the US?

ME: He was petitioned by his American step dad under IR2 category.

CO: Husband's job?

ME: <stated>

CO: Your address in the US?

ME: <stated>

CO: Do you have a child?

ME: None

CO: Have you ever been outside the Philippines?

ME: Yes! But just for vacation.

CO: What country?

ME: Been to HK, Macau, SG, Malaysia

He then handed me a pamphlet about domestic violence and instructed me to read and understand it. And finally he says the magic word, "everything is good, you're APPROVED!!!".

Step 5: Proceed for step 5 for the mailing address. The lady just gave me a piece of paper which explains how to register your mailing address online at ustraveldocs.com.

Yes! Was exactly done and out of the US Embassy Manila by 9:30am. Went back to my hotel, availed my free breakfast buffet and by 11:30am I checked my CEAC status and I was happy seeing it already updated to ISSUED.

[PHIL > AZ 6]

Awesome write up! My wife and I will be going in next week and you laid out the process quite nicely. Thanks and congratulations!

[delish 29]

Congrats Mockingjay! Now go and reserve a slot for PDOS.

Welcome to US!

[Mockingjay 10]

Awesome write up! My wife and I will be going in next week and you laid out the process quite nicely. Thanks and congratulations!

You're welcome. Hope it helped you and the other vj members who will go through the process in the future. Stay calm and make sure you have with you all the requirements then you're good. And thank you. goodluck!

Congrats Mockingjay! Now go and reserve a slot for PDOS.

Welcome to US!

Thank you! Hope they have another PDOS seminar held in Davao so I dont have to go to Manila again.

[fatherofthree 2]

I had my interview today, 08th of January 2016; 6:15 am schedule at US Embassy Manila. Flew all the way from Davao, I stayed at Bayview Park Hotel Manila, its located just across the street of USEM Manila

To start with, these are the things I brought with me in preparation with the interview:

1. ??Passport (valid in 6 months)

2. ??Photocopy of passport biographic page

3. ??Cenomar (petitioner)

4. ??Cenomar (beneficiary)

5. ??Birth certificate (petitioner)

6. ??Birth certificate (beneficiary)

7. ??Police clearance

8. ??NBI clearance (valid in 6 months)

9. ??Financial Proofs

- ??Latest ITR

- ??Latest W2

- ??Employment certificate

10. ??DS260 copy

11. ??Sealed Medical Result from SLEC

12. ??Interview letter

13. ??Passport size (2x2) photo 4 pieces

14. ??Marriage Certificate

15. ??Proof of Relationship

- ??Wedding pictures

- ??Photos together

- ??Chatlogs ( from start of relationship to current chats)

- ??proof of financial support

- ??plane tickets and/or passport stamps (records of previous visit)

- ??affidavit of witness (3 persons)

16. ??Affidavit of Support

I went to USEM Manila at 5:00am, the line was already long, there are separate lines for SEAMAN/IMMIGRANTS/NON IMMIGRANTS. Then at 6:00am, they started checking and allowing applicants to go inside. The things that first checked before you get inside were: DS260, INTERVIEW LETTER and PASSPORT. Then, you will be instructed to go inside and pass through the scanner. Remember, electronic gadgets are not allowed (Flash drive, cellphone, tab, laptop, etc.) and also food and drinks are not allowed (but you can bring candies).

Step 1: Proceed at window 2 for priority number. You will be asked who's your petitioner and the petitioner's DOB.

Step 2: Before proceeding with the second step at the main building where the whole process takes, you will pass through a scanner again and bags will be checked by a guard this time. Proceed at pre-screening/Finger scanning area. Finger scanning first, then I was asked with few questions (Petitioner's name/DOB/ How did the petitioner get into the USA). And also asked if did I applied for a visa before, my answer was yes, I applied for a tourist visa before and yet it was denied. Then he collected few of my requirements (Cenomar/ NBI Clearance/ Marriage Certificate/ SLEC Sealed Medical Result).

Step 3: Then, I was instructed to proceed with Oath taking. It was an American lady. Then another set of finger scanning.

Step 4: Then, the most awaited interview with the American consul. I was luckily assigned to a male, smiling, kind and handsome consul. Questions asked to me were:

CO: State your name and your birthdate

ME: <stated>

CO: Who's your petitioner?

ME: My husband. <stated name>

CO: DOB of petitioner

ME: <stated>

CO: How did he get into the US?

ME: He was petitioned by his American step dad under IR2 category.

CO: Husband's job?

ME: <stated>

CO: Your address in the US?

ME: <stated>

CO: Do you have a child?

ME: None

CO: Have you ever been outside the Philippines?

ME: Yes! But just for vacation.

CO: What country?

ME: Been to HK, Macau, SG, Malaysia

He then handed me a pamphlet about domestic violence and instructed me to read and understand it. And finally he says the magic word, "everything is good, you're APPROVED!!!".

Step 5: Proceed for step 5 for the mailing address. The lady just gave me a piece of paper which explains how to register your mailing address online at ustraveldocs.com.

Yes! Was exactly done and out of the US Embassy Manila by 9:30am. Went back to my hotel, availed my free breakfast buffet and by 11:30am I checked my CEAC status and I was happy seeing it already updated to ISSUED.

What is Step 5 for?

[Mockingjay 10]

What is Step 5 for?

This step is for those who haven't registered online the mailing address of their visa packet . Website: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/

But if you already registered online then you wont be asked to go to step 5.

[delish 29]

You're welcome. Hope it helped you and the other vj members who will go through the process in the future. Stay calm and make sure you have with you all the requirements then you're good. And thank you. goodluck!

Thank you! Hope they have another PDOS seminar held in Davao so I dont have to go to Manila again.

That would be great too. I hope in the near future, they will also have a CFO satellite in Davao.

[delish 29]

What is Step 5 for?

Just what Mockingjay said, if you didnt register on traveldocs for the address to where your visa packet will be delivered, you will need to have step 5 to write down the address to where your packet will be delivered.

[airtap 0]

Wow! Congrats and goodluck on your journey in the US. Thanks for the infos. I hope all is well with my journey too.

[nessa09 0]

Hi teh! Taga Davao ako!i'm under K1 Visa. I just need some advice to coz I'm gonna be having my Interview too in Jan25. So my question is, is it necessary for my Fiance's Cenomar? I dont think he have that, he's American btw. And is the Interview letter same as the Appointment confirmation? The one whose sent to you when you schedule your interview. Kindly reply. Be needing your help. I'm a little nervous. ?? wish me luck!

[Hank_ 9,174]

What is Step 5 for?

Delivery address, where 2GO will deliver the visa package.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi teh! Taga Davao ako!i'm under K1 Visa. I just need some advice to coz I'm gonna be having my Interview too in Jan25. So my question is, is it necessary for my Fiance's Cenomar? I dont think he have that, he's American btw. And is the Interview letter same as the Appointment confirmation? The one whose sent to you when you schedule your interview. Kindly reply. Be needing your help. I'm a little nervous. ?? wish me luck!

You are jumping into a posting about IMMIGRANT visas, K-1 is a NON-IMMIGRANT visa, the processes are different. You would do better to ask your questions in a new topic.

The CENOMAR requirement is for the visa applicant - YOU.

Follow the embassy instructions letter as to what is required.

For K-1 visa: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/1178798/feb2015/K1-K2%20Applicant%20Interview%20Preparation%20Instructions%20-%20English%20_February%202015_.pdf

For more details on the K-1 process follow the flashing arrow in my signature below.

[chillin4me 15]

Hi teh! Taga Davao ako!i'm under K1 Visa. I just need some advice to coz I'm gonna be having my Interview too in Jan25. So my question is, is it necessary for my Fiance's Cenomar? I dont think he have that, he's American btw. And is the Interview letter same as the Appointment confirmation? The one whose sent to you when you schedule your interview. Kindly reply. Be needing your help. I'm a little nervous. ?? wish me luck!

Americans does not have CENOMAR, with background check they will know if he is married, single, divorce etc. You don't have interview letter, since your case is K1 visa, you were the one who scheduled your interview, so bring the Interview Appointment Confirmation.

Good luck. Be over prepared. As long as your relationship is genuine, and you know your fiance very well, you will be fine.

[Babylove08 2]

HI! My interview is on July 20 at 9:00AM. What time should I be there? I plan to stay at one of the Hotels nearby para di ako ma-hassle sa time.

[Hank_ 9,174]

* STAGGERED APPOINTMENT SYSTEM EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 01, 2016 **

In our continuing efforts to ensure the highest level of customer service, the Immigrant Visa unit will implement a new appointment system designed to minimize applicant wait time.

Effective February 01, 2016, Immigrant Visa interviews will be scheduled at 6:45 am, 7:30 am, 8:15 am and 9:00 am. Embassy personnel will facilitate entry of immigrant visa applicants 15 minutes prior to their respective interview time slot.

All applicants who arrive earlier than 15 minutes before their interview time will be asked to wait outside the Embassy premises.