Manila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

[rea 1]

approved already!!

sharing my interview experience click here

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

I may be wrong, but I thought if you could show six months of pay stubs showing you earn over the minimum, that was good enough to meet the requirements, or is it up to the individual doing the interview?

But I have a couple of people who I think are willing to co-sponsor, so everything will work out fine.

[Pinay Wife 47]

Thanks Cora. Atleast, now I know that it is legal to work within the 90 days as long as i have SSN and the employer knows the rules that no need to have EAD for the first 90 days.

Jeng, there was a discussion about K1s that work during the 90-day period in another thread. Judging from recent info there, it may be against the law for K1 to work without EAD despite what the SS manual says. So better to not try it unless you have lawyer's advice.

Legend:

OK - Visa approved

AR - Admin Review/Add'l Docs Required

ME - Military Expedite

AO - Age-Out (Derivative approaching age 21)

Name..................NOA2....MNL REC'D..PACKET...INTERVIEW..MNL CASE#..STATUS..DELIVERED/#OF DAYS/PLACE DLVRD

K1 LIST

01..meadeguy........03-29-07..05-21-07..06-26-07..08-01-07..2007-xxxxxx..OK

02..Intelek.........04-19-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-02-07..2007-xxxxxx..OK

03..2hearts1beat....05-03-07..xx-xx-xx..06-25-07..08-03-07..2007-xxxxxx..OK..Aug 09/07 days

04..busycharlie.....05-03-07..xx-xx-xx..06-23-07..08-03-07..2007-xxxxxx..AR..Japan Police Clearance

05..Eddie&Mary......05-23-07..06-04-07..06-25-07..08-03-07..2007-xxxxxx..OK

06..rea.............05-01-07..xx-xx-xx..06-25-07..08-06-07..2007-xxxxxx..OK

07..Bernie4Bien.....05-01-07..05-18-07..06-23-07..08-06-07..2007-xxxxxx..OK..Aug 09/03 days/pick up

08..Anthony Julie...05-xx-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-07-07..2007-63xxxx..OK

09..shaggy474.......xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-10-07..2007-xxxxxx

10..Novelyn&Gragg...05-10-07..06-06-07..06-25-07..08-13-07..2007-xxxxxx

11..JoanBill........06-09-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..08-14-07..2007-xxxxxx

12..jj1028..........06-01-07..xx-xx-xx..07-28-07..09-11-07..2007-xxxxxx

13..Ianne25.........05-23-07..xx-xx-xx..08-01-07..09-11-07..2007-xxxxxx

14..Ryza............07-09-07..07-28-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

K3 LIST

01..islandprincess..05-21-07..06-04-07..06-23-07..08-03-07..2007-xxxxxx..OK

IR-1/CR-1

Name.................NOA2.....CASE CMPLT..PACKET..INTERVIEW...MNL CASE#..STATUS

01..DogWood Poet....11-07-06..05-03-07..05-26-07..08-09-07..2007-xxxxxx..AR..Joint sponsor

02..RandyandRina....07-02-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

Edited August 9, 2007 by PatientlyWaiting

[vsmtghdy 2]

Bernie4Bien, 2_hearts_1_beat, and rea --->>>

I'm happy to read messages like this!

They gave Kathlene a letter explaining what they need, but the counsel told her she did very well at her interview and she would just need to bring the original form from the co-sponsor to the embassy anytime, no appointment needed. After we get a co-sponsor, they should process her visa.

Kathlene is going to either email me or fax the letter to me once she gets home from Manila

Dogwood, sorry to hear about the co-sponsor requirement but it is nice to hear that her interview went well. But after you submit the co-sponsor requirement/documents it may take another 2 weeks for processing and review then Kathleen will have her visa. Hope everything will turn well from this point onwards. God Bless!

Edited August 9, 2007 by vsmtghdy

[jerrylee 0]

Hello Everyone! I got my visa! Picked it up today and after 5 mins....wallla....I am holding my Visa....so so so happy. Sorry can't tell more...so tired...I just arrived from Manila and still jet lagged and sleepy from days of not sleeping well.

Just want to thank all VJ'ers .... my visa journey was as smooth as silk with all the knowledge and help and advises that only VJ can do! l I am proud to be a part of this community!

More when I am best rested! Am so tired right now ... can't think anymore .... hehehe:P

Later folks!

:dance: Congratulations!!! :dance:

Congrats Bien! Take your beauty rest girl!!!

Just wanna let the VJ community know that I also got my visa today. It was delivered by DHL at lunchtime. Thank God!!!

A million thanks to all the people here at VJ who have helped me learn a lot about this process. I couldn't have done it well without the forum's help.

Congratulations to all the rest who have been approved!

:dance: Congratulations!!! :dance:

[jerrylee 0]

approved already!!

sharing my interview experience click here

Congratulations!!!

[jerrylee 0]

Ok everyone...I'm off to the big show in Manila; Interview day is Monday and my flight leaves tomorrow night

I look forward to seeing anyone else interviewing on Monday at the Embassy!

[Bernie4Bien 0]

Ok everyone...I'm off to the big show in Manila; Interview day is Monday and my flight leaves tomorrow night

I look forward to seeing anyone else interviewing on Monday at the Embassy!

Good luck Gragg and Novie!

[Skeeter211 2]

Hi everyone!!! Just stopping in to say hello as we haven't been here in awhile. We have been busy lately enjoying our time together here now that we are finally together. So much love and happiness now that we can share our lives together. I never have felt this way in my life about someone and felt so loved and cared for by someone. Mir says she feels the same. God has really blessed us!

Mir is adjusting fine and just misses her family a bit. She talks to them every day though so I think that helps. Unfortunately, she has had a few setbacks in her plans here for work and school. It seems that no one here will let a new immigrant without a green card/EAD do anything. We have a new Target store opening in our city in October and she wanted to apply now so that she could be considered for an opening when the store is ready to open. Nope.....they told her that without her EAD they will not even accept her application pending its receipt. Then she tried to sign up for a CNA nursing class, but they require she have a driver's license here in the US, a state ID card, or a US Passport. She has neither and can't get them. We tried to get a state ID card, but without AOS and green card.....NO! So she has been a little bored here cause I work and she is home. We are going to check into volunteering at the local hospital though next week.

Other than that we have just been spending time together and with my kids. It was a little rough at first with my kids in adjusting to the new relationship, but after some long talks with them, things have gotten a lot better. We went to a water park the other day and we all had a blast. Life has been good.

Okay...must go eat now. Take care all and God bless you and your families.

Scott and Mirasol

[VilmaF 0]

Me and my daugthers are also set for interview on Monday, 7:30am.

[RandyandRina 2]

For those who actually went for their interview already, between waiting in lines very early morning, interview process and paying your fees to Delbros... how long did it take you over-all?

Thanks all! Congratulations to all who got approved and Good luck to all who will be doing their interview soon!

[gracy_byron 0]

Congrats rea....

Hi Scott, I feel the same way here but Im glad my son is here with me, I can call Mira and we can chat if she wants =)

[Bernie4Bien 0]

Sharing time.....slept like a baby last night....I did not realized that I am that dead tired.....I stayed for days in my hotel room due to heavy rains and wind in Manila...glad I am back home now enjoying the sun....

Interview experience

August 5th : The night before my interview, I just can't sleep at all. My Darling called me at 3:00a.m. to wake me up. He was my alarm clock....hehehhe....but I did not sleep all night long.

August 6th: Interview Day

Arrived at the US Embassy a little past 5:30a.m. My interview time was 7:30a.m. There was a long line when I got there. I noticed that on the right side the guard entertains people and there was only two of them there. So I went right to the right side instead of going to the left line. I asked the guard which line should I go for immigrant and my interview is 7:30a.m. He asked if I have my appointment letter (original). I have in prepared already with my ID so I automatically handed it to him. He looked at it and check my name from the appointment letter if it's the same from my ID and then he let me in. Told me to go sit next to the man in pink shirt at the waiting area. I saw my VJ Twin Rea alrealdy there.

Note: Prepare your appointment letter (original) and your ID. Automatically hand it to the guard. Do not fall in line the moment you saw a line. Ask the guard first.

CAUTION: DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE WHO ASK YOU QUESTIONS OR TRYING TO TALK TO YOU. THEY ARE NOT EMPLOYEES OF THE US EMBASSY. YOU WILL ENCOUNTER MANY OF THEM AT THE EMBASSY. DO NOT FALL IN LINE RIGHT AWAY. ASK THE GUARD AND SHOW YOUR APPOINTMENT LETTER. OTHERWISE YOU WILL BE IN LINE FOR HOURS ONLY TO FIND OUT YOU ARE AT THE WRONG LINE.

Do not bring your cellphone or any battery operated gadgets or electronice devices. You are not allowed to bring them inside nor you are allowed to leave them with the guard. No courtesy booth in there.

At 6:15a.m. we slowly went inside passing through X-ray and guard check.

Once inside the Embassy, the guard asked me what time is my interview and told me where to sit and wait. A moment later a lady approached us and checked our DS forms and appointment letter one by one. Make sure to prepare your DS Forms plus the receipt of your payment from BPI. FILL UP THE FORM BPI BANK GAVE YOU WHEN YOU PAID YOUR VISA FEE. DOUBLE CHECK IF THE FORM IS VALIDATED BY THE BANK. YES! YOU NEED TO FILL UP THE FORM FROM THE BANK.

Step 1: Number Counter

The guard called us by row and told us to go to the counter to get our number. (Don't worry the guard will guide you where.) At the counter, I submitted the following:

[*]DS-156 (2 copies)

[*]DS-157 (2 copies, one of which is the validated form from the bank)

[*]DS-156k (1 copy)

[*]Appointment Letter.

Then the lady gave me my number stub --- 7020.

Note: Your 2x2 picture should be glued already on the DS-156 form.

Back at the waiting area, I waited for my name to be called for fingerprinting. I heard my name called after a few minutes of waiting.

Step 2: Fingerprinting

I went to Window 33 for fingerprinting. Fingerprinting was done in less than a minute and I am back to the waiting area again for the next step. Fingerprinting is electronic, so no need to worry of getting your fingers dirty with black ink....hehehhe

Note: Always keep your number stub. Show but do not give it to the lady at the counter. If you give it make sure to get it back. You will need it throughout the entire process.

Step 3: Pre-screening

It took a while longer, probably 30 minutes before my number flashed at the queuing board together with the window number for my pre-screening. It was Window 25. The Filipino pre-screener was nice. She asked for my birth certificate and NBI Clearance. I told her that I have specific instructions from our lawyer to give this (I showed her the FedEx from our lawyer). When she saw how bulky it was, she just told me, no, just keep it. I handed her my birth certificate (original), and NBI Clearance (original). I also included my CENOMAR (original), she looked at it and said okay, I'll take it.

Questions asked:

[*]Who petitioned you?

[*]How did you met? .... follow-up question: What website? (she smiled and told me, this is new, interesting and smiled again)

[*]When was the last time you saw him?

[*]Were you married before? Do you have kids?

[*]Age of your fiance? your age?

[*]Was he divorced? I told her no. He's widowed. She was searching through the file (original petition). I asked her what was she looking for and she said the death certificate of my fiance's ex-wife. I told her I have a copy with me here. She can take it if she want. She said ok. I gave it to her and she said thank you. Your petition is so thick/bulky I can't find it....and she smiled again. I smiled back.

[*]Have you travelled outside Philippines?

[*]Do you have photos together?

She was scanning through the file again and I asked her what she is looking for. She told me she's looking for my fiance's income. I voluntered to give her the latest ones I brought along with me. She accepted it and said thank you and smiled again. Finally, she said ok. You are all set and go back to the waiting area. Your my number to be called again for the interview. I smiled and said thank you Ma'am. She looked at me and smiled.

My pre-screener was a very nice lady. We even talked a little.....hehehehe...The entire process took only 5 mins or less. She's very fast.....

Caution: DO NOT TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE NERVOUS. I heard the pre-screener at the next window, window 26 was giving the applicant a hard time. She told her, why are you nervous? Is there any reason for you to be nervous? Why, is there something wrong that you have to be worried and nervous about? The lady said, nothing, it is just my first time and I am so nervous. The pre-screener again said, Maybe you are hiding something that is why you are nervous? ....and it goes on and on like this.

Just smile and smile....they will smile back at you. And it helps ease your nervousness. Show them that you are confident and speak clearly and loud enough to be heard also. Observe what they are doing and if it seem they are looking for something, scanning the petition file, asked what they are looking for and voluntered to submit the docs if you have it with you. They will thank you for that.

Step 4: Interview

This one was really a long wait. My number flashed at the queuing board after almost two hours of waiting. I was to go to window 30. My consul was a pretty young man (I peeked at the door)...hehehehe...I sat outside the cubicle waiting for the lady applicant to go out after her interview. Moments later she was out.

I went inside and he look at me and said good morning. I said good morning. He motioned me to sit. He said my name and I said yes that's me Sir. He smiled and said that my petitioner was (he mentioned my fiance's name) and I said yes (I said my fiance's name too)

He told me to tell him how I met my fiance, when and how it started. I told him our love story. And keeps laughing as I talked and make some comments. And then suddenly he asked me if my fiance was teaching me German I said yes and told him that I was teaching him also our language. He spoke in German and was reading our e-mails and just keep on laughing, giggling and kept telling me how sweet my fiance is, as I continue my story. He also asked if I bring some pictures of us together I said yes. In fact, I brought with me a very big photo album and put the album in front. He just smiled and did not even looked at it. He asked about my fiance's job and I told him what it is and he seems interested and was asking me about it.

He seemed satisfied and really enjoyed our conversation. Finally he said, ok you are approved. I have no more questions. And he keeps on laughing....not just smile...he was really laughing and me too. He did not even looked at the photo album.

I stood up and then sit back down again and said wait Sir. He said with a smile, yes Ma'am. I asked him something and then he said sure no problem. He get back my file and stamped there, APPROVED! many times from the cover and to some of the papers inside. He hand me a dark pink card with my name on it and told me to come on Aug 9 to pick up my visa at 1pm. He said Deal! I said Deal!

Interview with the consul was only 5 minutes, more or less.

Step 5: Releasing of Docs

I only sat for one minute after I got out from my interview with the consul and my name was called. I went to window 38. I handed him the dark pink card that the consul gave me. He wrote something on my file. He let me wrote down my contact number on the card. And told me to come on the date and time the consul told me. Remind me to bring my the card and my IDs when I picked my visa.

Step 6: Delbros

I did not pay Delbros, hence, I am picking up my Visa at USEM.

Left the Embassy at 11:30a.m. or 11:45a.m. with Rea for lunch......so so so happy.

August 8th

Embassy called me on August 8th telling me to pick my Visa tomorrow at 10:a.m at window 34.

August 9th

My Darling woke me up at 4a.m. and we talked for a while. I arrived at the Embassy at 9:a.m. Show the guard my card, pass through the X-ray conveyor and went inside. Once inside, I went straight to Window 34. I stand there until a lady approached me and I hand her the dark pink card and my IDs. She told me to sit down and wait. In less than 2 minutes, she called my name. She gave me a brown envelope with instructions not to open it and give it to the immigration officer at my POE. Then before she gave me my passport and visa, she asked me some questions like my name, age, petitioner's name and my birthday for verification. Then I have my visa on hand!

I am out from the Embassy at 9:15a.m. with a very big smile!

I felt warm even if it was raining...... B)

Called and woke up My Darling with the good news...from being sleepy-sounded, he laughed with joy.....makes me so so happy.

My Embassy experience, the entire process in itself went so smoothly and even much better than I anticipated. All of these was made possible because of this forum. VJ and VJ'ers thank you so much! More power!

To all who got approved and got their visas, CONGRATULATIONS!

For those whose interviews are coming, be self-confident (but not too much), and believe in your relationship. The Embassy people can feel your sincerity especially the consul. Have all your documents ready and bring them all. It is better to have them and not need them, than needing them and not having them at all.

I was excess baggaged at the airport....purely documents in one big luggage...hehehe....and I brought the luggage with me at the Embassy, but only three docs was asked, whew! But it was worth it.

Above all pray to God and Mama Mary for guidance and blessing. I have my small Mama Mary with me in my pocket when I was at the Embassy. I touched it when I got too nervous and I pray in each process. And She never left my side.

[Bernie4Bien 0]

For those who actually went for their interview already, between waiting in lines very early morning, interview process and paying your fees to Delbros... how long did it take you over-all?

Thanks all! Congratulations to all who got approved and Good luck to all who will be doing their interview soon!

Based from my experience, I was finished at 11:30a.m.....half-day only.

[jackieadam 0]

hi everyone!!! Finally i had my passport change into a new name as i got married here. we went to Phil. Emb. at san francisco california (5-6 hrs. ) driving. We paid $50 for the new passport then $25 for reported of marriage. We need to make those because we are moving to Las Vegas next week. Today, upon checking our post office box we got the mail from USCIS regarding my BIOMETRICS SCHEDULE. Its going to be on AUg. 24 at 2pm in RENO NEVADA. However, we have a certain problem in making it because my husbands' job in Las Vegas will start on Aug. 21. We are planning to reschedule it since it will be so difficult for us to go back again. Right now we have no idea how long will it takes again if we ask for rescheduling my biometrics and also requesting a new address to make it at Las Vegas. I hope anyone can provide inputs about this situation of mine. We are decided to move on Tue. night and send new address as we get to Las vegas because we are just going to find a good place there first before we can do the rest. God Bless u All!!