Manila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

[JelloShotGirl 0]

Philip is finally heeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeee! ARRIVED in one piece at JFK at about 7 am est. No probs at POE SFO, the immigration officer just wanted to know how we met. thanks again to all my VJ friends!

[DA*CHAD+MIDES* 0]

Glad you call them ...they're pretty reasoble plus you talk to a live person and of course you can visit their local offices. You can compare their quote fare prices to the online prices like cheaptix, travelocity, etc. before you buy. By the way...tell us about that VONAGE $25/month for unlimited international calls...is that true? Never heard of it .

Coco Puff

I got that vonage idea from Kuya Gary and Ate Luz from 1 of their posts. Its like this if you have a DSL/broadband connection at home its gonna work, there's a router that youll have to plug into your pc connection and with a cordless phone you can talk to your loved ones in the US till you want. On my case I have the Sacramento area code and I call Byron on his landphone and cellphone and vice versa whenever we want for $25 a month, thats all. Its really great no more $1500 monthly bills for us Byron ordered the router, sent it here, I set it up and got myself cordless phones and I'll leave it here so I can talk to my family whenever I want for $25 a month when we moved in the US . You can check this site www.vonage.com for additional details

Thanks for the reminder Meadeguy! You can talk to your fiance/fiancee about it and let me know if your interested so I can do the refer a friend on my account and you can use the vonage for a month free and 2 months for myself.

Yep Been doing this since I met my girl. Works excelent. We talk for hours and hours and some more hours. The only thing that you might have to configure is the PPP authentication to the DSL. If she has to dial into her DSL then she will configure the router to do it. After that its plug and play. Let me know if you want to know more or have any questions.

Take Care.

Chad

[Michael and Milahjean 0]

Well, our visa journey is complete, but our amazing adventure will continue into infinity. Looking back, time seemed to stand still, but when all is said and done, and when you are finally reunited with your soulmate, all of the pain evaporates, it becomes a distant memory, and quickly fades. We rejoice each day now, waking up every morning together, celebrating, embracing, savoring the moment, nothing taken for granted...and almost every day I'm finding that I arrive at the office just a wee bit late...hehehe...

So, our signature has the details of our journey, start to finish. I've just added the last little bit of pertinent dope, if anyone is interested. My sweetie's Social Security card arrived in the mailbox on April 14, less than 2 weeks after her entry date. Today she received her green card in the mail, less than 3 weeks after entry. And, wow, tomorrow is the first anniversary of our glorious wedding!!! She's here in America to celebrate!!! So, at roughly 6:30 am EDT we celebrate the exact moment of our union.

God bless all who have completed their journey, are still on the bumpy road or standing at the starting line.

Michael and Milah Jean

[Mike_Marivic 0]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for everyone who wished me good luck and for the valuable infos i got from VJ people. Thank you all. We are APPROVED!! But i wouldn't say it was easy, the surprise and tension were the hardest when your number is called but when both started the interview proper it was a lot easier. And I would say we got so lucky. And I thank God for that, he always lets me know he's guiding me and us.

The pre-screener who was a Filipino was super nice I was so at ease glad my papers fall on his hands (also to the Consul who interviewed me), he asked a lot of questions pretty basic and we were laughing because he said i memorized everything and he asked what did i feed my fiance cause he keep coming back almost every month. The consul was nice too, asked a lot of question too, he didn't grant me to pick up the visa but he said it will be probably be delivered by Friday. Neither of them ask for Mike's Notarized 1-134, W2, 1040, Bank statements, even the CENOMAR. It puzzled me. But what's important is he said I'm all set and I am approved!

Out by 10:30.

Good Luck to those who are having interview this week and May Batch. You can do it.

God Bless

Edited April 24, 2007 by Mike_Marivic

[lirachadsbaby 0]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for everyone who wished me good luck and for the valuable infos i got from VJ people. Thank you all. We are APPROVED!! But i wouldn't say it was easy, the surprise and tension were the hardest when your number is called but when both started the interview proper it was a lot easier. And I would say we got so lucky. And I thank God for that, he always lets me know he's guiding me and us.

The pre-screener who was a Filipino was super nice I was so at ease glad my papers fall on his hands (also to the Consul who interviewed me), he asked a lot of questions pretty basic and we were laughing because he said i memorized everything and he asked what did i feed my fiance cause he keep coming back almost every month. The consul was nice too, asked a lot of question too, he didn't grant me to pick up the visa but he said it will be probably be delivered by Friday. Neither of them ask for Mike's Notarized 1-134, W2, 1040, Bank statements, even the CENOMAR. It puzzled me. But what's important is he said I'm all set and I am approved!

Out by 10:30.

Good Luck to those who are having interview this week and May Batch. You can do it.

God Bless

COngratulations! guys. Your post is very inspiring especially to those who will have the interview soon.

[neenuh 0]

thanks for the warm welcome PW.

my husband sent the packet, alleluia...

as i said in another thread, "now the journey begins."

congratulations to everyone!

i must admit, i am jealous.

months from now i hope to be where you guys are at right now.

gosh dang, how did you all cope with the anxiety?!

my husband and i have just begun, but the anxiety is already building up!

how did you guys manage to not pass out in front of the CO?!

[Mike_Marivic 0]

how did you guys manage to not pass out in front of the CO?!

It actually felt like i was going to pass out, i could feel my nerves getting numb, my body felt like getting stiff, and i was wondering if i could make it 'til my number flash on the queueing board before the pre-screening interview, my mind wasn't really nervous but my body was shaking involuntarily, just couldn't help it. Then the Filipino pre-screener was so nice i totally lost my nervousness we started laughing when he asked me questions. When my number flashed for preliminary interview i was in the ladies' room, a friend whom i met there went in to inform me and again i was in the ladies' room when my number flashed for the CO so thanks to Sharon she was so nice to call me both times. I guess because i didn't know what i wanted to do, i kept drinking water from the fountain there but i wasn't thirsty, and kept coming back to the ladies' room and washed my hands. All I wanted was to get it over with and go home with approval of course. And wished my Fiance was with me i would have felt much better just holding his hands and know that he's just beside me. Then when i entered the cubicle the consul greeted me "Good Morning" and i replied, " Good afternoon, Sir" but he wasn't listening, good thing. Thought he was wrong and I checked my watch it read 9:45, oh its still morning yeah. Made me think he was nice and felt comfortable. Then started asking me questions i answered him promptly the whole time with smile and looking him straight in the eye, with full confidence this time.

If not because of my love for my baby, i wouldn't have made it. I would just have gone home and find a job, hehe.

With all the pressures and sleepless nights, glad its over now. I guess with all these hardship and anticipation of the unknown and anxieties, just do your best and lift the rest to God. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be.

Good luck and try to relax, i know its hard but as long as you are positive that your papers have no problems, then you have nothing to worry about. Unlike me i had so many reasonable anxieties and pressures but just got so lucky and maybe it was really meant to happen. Thanks God. Nothing to worry about really, i think i was just so anxious to get approved and thats the only option i gave myself.

Thanks Ate Cora, i got a valuable advise from you, "Never offer or answer anything that is not asked." True enough.

[Pinay Wife 47]

My visa has not been delivered up to this time. Delbros can't seem to locate my home address. I even gave them my office address and still nothing. If they don't deliver by tomorrow then I guess, I will pick it up. Grrr, I will demand a refund!

Yay Jello! We can sense your happiness! And Michael and Milahjean, glad to note that the rest of the journey was smooth with the SSS card and greencard arriving promptly.

Updating list to congratulate Mike Marivic on visa approval. Good luck tomorrow CocoPuff!

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..gobdogman.......09-07-06..10-20-06..xx-xx-xx..02-26-07..2006-789xxx..AR..Apr 15/48 days/Dumaguete

02..patrick808......10-18-06..10-30-06..01-24-07..03-08-07..2006-800xxx..OK..Date and place delivered please?

03..Joone745........10-20-06..11-01-06..xx-xx-xx..03-09-07..2006-800xxx..OK..Mar 16/07 days/Bacolod

04..Wes.............11-02-06..11-17-06..12-29-06..03-20-07..2006-818xxx..AR..Pending result of add'l tests

05..49bstreet.......09-29-06..11-21-06..01-23-07..03-21-07..2006-820xxx..OK..Apr 12/22 days/Tuguegarao

06..maylet29........10-27-06..11-21-06..xx-xx-xx..03-22-07..2006-820xxx..OK..Mar 27/05 days/Quezon City

07..kismet..........11-02-06..11-20-06..01-26-07..03-22-07..2006-820xxx..OK..Mar 28/06 days/Cainta

08..iya.............11-02-06..11-20-06..02-02-07..03-23-07..2006-820xxx..OK..Mar 29/06 days/Quezon City

09..boch............11-08-06..11-29-06..01-05-07..03-23-07..2006-820xxx..OK..??

10..B&N.............11-03-06..11-29-06..01-24-07..03-26-07..2006-824xxx..OK..Apr 02/07 days/Makati

11..Alanlvsjudy.....11-06-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..03-27-07..2006-824xxx..OK..Apr 02/06 days/Pasay

12..EllaJosh........11-14-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..03-23-07..2006-834xxx..OK..??

13..jackieadam......11-20-06..12-28-06..xx-xx-xx..03-23-07..2006-xxxxxx..OK..Mar 28/05 days/Makati

14..DeaniWait.......11-28-06..12-19-06..02-27-07..04-04-07..2006-842xxx..OK..Apr 11/07 days/Picked up

15..wthornton.......11-28-06..12-19-06..02-26-07..04-04-07..2006-842xxx..??

16..DocMay..........11-15-06..12-12-06..02-26-07..04-10-07..2006-845xxx..AR..

17..George&Jenny....11-27-06..12-12-06..xx-xx-xx..04-10-07..2006-845xxx..OK..Apr 13/03 days/Cagayan de Oro

18..genlramos.......11-17-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..04-11-07..2006-845xxx..OK..Apr 17/06 days/Pasay City

19..DaveandFleur....10-17-06..12-19-06..02-28-07..04-11-07..2006-845xxx..OK

20..PatientlyWait...12-04-06..12-27-06..02-26-07..04-13-07..2006-852xxx..OK

21..Kayz............12-14-06..12-27-06..02-26-07..04-16-07..2006-854xxx..OK

22..sanfrancisco....xx-xx-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-17-07..2006-8xxxxx..OK

23..supra...........12-07-06..01-08-07..03-03-07..04-18-07..2006-860xxx..OK..Apr 23/05 days/Cebu

24..elmasguapo......12-15-06..01-08-07..xx-xx-xx..04-24-07..2006-xxxxxx..Interview postponed

25..Dean/Gra........12-26-06..01-04-07..02-27-06..04-23-07..2007-503xxx..OK

26..Mike Marivic....01-04-07..01-20-07..02-26-07..04-24-07..2007-508xxx..OK

27..CocoPuff........12-29-06..01-16.07..03-03-07..04-25-07..2007-5xxxxx

28..MarieandBryan...01-10-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-27-07..2007-52xxxx

29..Skeeter211......01-17-07..02-27-07..04-02-07..05-03-07..2007-52xxxx

30..chadandlira.....01-25-07..xx-xx-xx..04-02-07..05-09-07..2007-536xxx

31..Honeysweet......02-01-07..02-20-07..xx-xx-xx..05-10-07..2007-540xxx

32..imaskin.........02-07-07..xx-xx-xx..03-30-07..05-24-07..2007-xxxxxx

33..gracy_byron.....02-08-07..02-28-07..xx-xx-xx..05-18-07..2007-xxxxxx

34..chadmides.......02-12-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..05-10-07..2007-547xxx

35..joemaria........02-12-07..02-28-07..xx-xx-xx..05-22-07..2007-55xxx

36..orion44.........02-22-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..06-05-07..2007-xxxxxx

37..David-MaeForev..02-27-07..03-14-07..xx-xx-xx..06-07-07..2007-564xxx

38..JeffK...........03-08-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..06-18-07..2007-573xxx

39..trakon2002......04-05-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

K3 LIST

01..AnneiyandJacky..11-28-06….xx-xx-xx..02-27-07..04-17-07..2006-685xxx..AR..Co-sponsor

02..dj2004..........11-16-06..12-12-06..02-27-07..04-03-07..2006-839xxx..OK

03..luvbugs4ever....12-14-06..12-21-06..03-02-07..04-16-07..2006-8xxxxx..Interview postponed

04..M&M.............11-20-06..xx-xx-xx..03-02-07..04-16-07..2007-503xxx..CR visa approved.

05..Jeff&Boo........12-26-06..01-12-07..02-26-07..04-26-07..2007-5xxxxx

07..CherylandMike...02-05-07..02-26-07..xx-xx-xx..05-16-07..2007-546xxx

08..Robor007........02-06-07..02-26-07..03-30-07..05-15-07..2007-546xxx

IR-1/CR-1

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

01..w1n78...........09-05-06..11-16-06..02-05-07..03-02-07..2006-764xxx..AR..Mar 23/21 days/Makati

02..soulm8z0928.....09-06-06..11-16-06..02-05-07..03-14-07..2006-76xxxx..OK..Mar 20/06 days/Metro Manila

03..M&M.............09-07-06..11-15-06..02-05-07..03-15-07..2006-765xxx..OK..Mar 19/4days/Taguig

04..dims1...........09-20-06..12-01-06..02-06-07..03-19-07..2006-775xxx..AR..Co-sponsor

05..KimTung.........09-26-06..12-21-06..xx-xx-xx..03-22-07..2006-779xxx..AR..

06..vsmtqhdy........09-25-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-20-07..2006-xxxxxx..OK

07..randynrose......09-29-06..02-06-07..03-06-07..04-20-07..2006-xxxxxx..OK

08..StarProg........12-28-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-508xxx

09..Robor007........02-06-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

[gracy_byron 0]

how did you guys manage to not pass out in front of the CO?!

It actually felt like i was going to pass out, i could feel my nerves getting numb, my body felt like getting stiff, and i was wondering if i could make it 'til my number flash on the queueing board before the pre-screening interview, my mind wasn't really nervous but my body was shaking involuntarily, just couldn't help it. Then the Filipino pre-screener was so nice i totally lost my nervousness we started laughing when he asked me questions. When my number flashed for preliminary interview i was in the ladies' room, a friend whom i met there went in to inform me and again i was in the ladies' room when my number flashed for the CO so thanks to Sharon she was so nice to call me both times. I guess because i didn't know what i wanted to do, i kept drinking water from the fountain there but i wasn't thirsty, and kept coming back to the ladies' room and washed my hands. All I wanted was to get it over with and go home with approval of course. And wished my Fiance was with me i would have felt much better just holding his hands and know that he's just beside me. Then when i entered the cubicle the consul greeted me "Good Morning" and i replied, " Good afternoon, Sir" but he wasn't listening, good thing. Thought he was wrong and I checked my watch it read 9:45, oh its still morning yeah. Made me think he was nice and felt comfortable. Then started asking me questions i answered him promptly the whole time with smile and looking him straight in the eye, with full confidence this time.

If not because of my love for my baby, i wouldn't have made it. I would just have gone home and find a job, hehe.

With all the pressures and sleepless nights, glad its over now. I guess with all these hardship and anticipation of the unknown and anxieties, just do your best and lift the rest to God. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be.

Good luck and try to relax, i know its hard but as long as you are positive that your papers have no problems, then you have nothing to worry about. Unlike me i had so many reasonable anxieties and pressures but just got so lucky and maybe it was really meant to happen. Thanks God. Nothing to worry about really, i think i was just so anxious to get approved and thats the only option i gave myself.

Thanks Ate Cora, i got a valuable advise from you, "Never offer or answer anything that is not asked." True enough.

Marivic sistah congrats! You made it!

[Lina 0]

Congrats :dance:

Hi everyone,

Thanks for everyone who wished me good luck and for the valuable infos i got from VJ people. Thank you all. We are APPROVED!! But i wouldn't say it was easy, the surprise and tension were the hardest when your number is called but when both started the interview proper it was a lot easier. And I would say we got so lucky. And I thank God for that, he always lets me know he's guiding me and us.

The pre-screener who was a Filipino was super nice I was so at ease glad my papers fall on his hands (also to the Consul who interviewed me), he asked a lot of questions pretty basic and we were laughing because he said i memorized everything and he asked what did i feed my fiance cause he keep coming back almost every month. The consul was nice too, asked a lot of question too, he didn't grant me to pick up the visa but he said it will be probably be delivered by Friday. Neither of them ask for Mike's Notarized 1-134, W2, 1040, Bank statements, even the CENOMAR. It puzzled me. But what's important is he said I'm all set and I am approved!

Out by 10:30.

Good Luck to those who are having interview this week and May Batch. You can do it.

God Bless

[jeng 0]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for everyone who wished me good luck and for the valuable infos i got from VJ people. Thank you all. We are APPROVED!! But i wouldn't say it was easy, the surprise and tension were the hardest when your number is called but when both started the interview proper it was a lot easier. And I would say we got so lucky. And I thank God for that, he always lets me know he's guiding me and us.

The pre-screener who was a Filipino was super nice I was so at ease glad my papers fall on his hands (also to the Consul who interviewed me), he asked a lot of questions pretty basic and we were laughing because he said i memorized everything and he asked what did i feed my fiance cause he keep coming back almost every month. The consul was nice too, asked a lot of question too, he didn't grant me to pick up the visa but he said it will be probably be delivered by Friday. Neither of them ask for Mike's Notarized 1-134, W2, 1040, Bank statements, even the CENOMAR. It puzzled me. But what's important is he said I'm all set and I am approved!

Out by 10:30.

Good Luck to those who are having interview this week and May Batch. You can do it.

God Bless

WOW...that is so great and inspiring...having gone through 2 interviews without presenting the papers..that is really WOW. do u have any idea why they didnt ask for it? i pray those 2 people interview will interview me and will not ask also for the papers...i hope their hearts will be on us...making us finally together being bf-gf for 5 yrs...

whew...i just pray what God wants to happen...everything is on Him now...

Goodluck to us all!

Godbless.

[Mike_Marivic 0]

Marivic sistah congrats! You made it!

thanks girl soon it will be your turn and kaya nyo yan...

Congrats :dance:

thank you Lina, good luck to you too

[BJZags 17]

My visa has not been delivered up to this time. Delbros can't seem to locate my home address. I even gave them my office address and still nothing. If they don't deliver by tomorrow then I guess, I will pick it up. Grrr, I will demand a refund!

Where do you live PW? It can't be that difficult to find an address in Makati City, its the financial capital of Manila after-all. Delbros found my girl's apartment in Palanan in less then a day after visa release.

[sunandmoon 450]

It's now 2:31am Manila time April 25th. best of luck to CocoPuff with their interview.

Edited April 24, 2007 by Roy and Yazi

[LuzyC 0]

Hello all my Manila Thread VJ family,

Its been a blessed 2 weeks since Robin and I got here in Peoria Illinois.Our flight from Manila to Minneapolis was plesant . We checked in at NAIA at 4:30 am for an 8:00 flight.We get in line for the NorthwestAirlines and the lady ask what kind of visa I have and Robin. She ask if I have my x-ray with me and she look at it.. (good thing is its part of my carry-on ),the lady beside her say a lot of '' K-I today''and I saw her ask for the x-ray to the other girl also! poor girl dont have her x-ray with her and have to dig her luggage right there. We just pay for terminal fee only which is 750.00 each fro me and Robin. I still have my travel tax money on my hand but nobody ask for us to pay it..some filipino crew ask the left-over cash for the jollibee snack...just can't give it away for the unexpected charges on the way. Gary didn't have to pay the travel tax himself when he purchase the plane ticket...hmmm..maybe they have pity on us coz Gary been back and forth and give us a discount.(hey I save 3,500 pesos right there wow!)

We reach our POE,the immigration CO asked for the brown envelope,scanned our fingers, take our pics, stamp our passport and staple the 1-94 forms into our passport. He reminded me that I have 90 days to get married and told me when my Visa expired...he told me in a joking way that my fiance should marry me soon before I change my mind(?)..kidding me???..no way I change my mind!!! Are you crazy? Ive been waiting for this for 3 years now!!! Of course I just tell that to myself

We had our Court wedding yesterday April 23..We are officially husband and wife!! We beat the odds together and here we are legally Mr and Mrs C!! Here guys/gals.let me share our happiness and joy yesterday. Thank you all!

Our Wedding slideshow

Gary took me to his Corporate office to sign Robin and myself up for his medical insurance.We apply for our SSN also..the lady there said I can have my SSN in 2 weeks..but she said that Robin cannot have his SSN till our AOS is done..what's up with that?Is somebody out there experience all this? Is it the way it goes?I hope someone here can help me out and clear some things for me?Thanks!

So far we have a great time here!! Spring is here and oh my goodness I LOVE ALL THOSE FLOWERS AND TREES!!!

We are been so blessed to have each other. I thank God for all this blessing! Our life together has just begun!

Wish all of you Manila VJ friends all the luck and the very best of everything!

Thank you all,

Luz

P.S.

Hey sis Cora,have to set that reunion when you get here ok?

We are all waiting for you!!

love ya!!

Edited April 24, 2007 by LuzyC