Manila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

[jeng 0]

Hi guys,

I'd just like to share my experience during the interview day...I cannot believe that the 2 interviews I had were so pleasant...just like what others are saying, we're just making ourselves nervous but in reality, it could be your most memorable interview in ur lifetime..hehehe...but its normal to be nervous..actually, it is still okay to be nervous so you could prepare yourself more...most of the times, too much confidence and reluctancy bring you to harm...

The filipino interviewer was so nice..she is already like a mommy so i felt like i am just talking to my mom...she got my birth certificate, nbi, cenomar, my fiance's affidavit of support, certificate of employment, 2006 ITR and W2 only, some pics, cards, emails and phonecards. She only asked me these questions:

1. How did u meet?

2. How many times he came here? and how long for each trip?

3. How many are they living in their house?

4. Are his parents dependent on him?

5. Has he been married before?

6. Have I been married before?

7. Do each of us or do we have children?

8. Where am i working?

I guess thats it..it was just a short interview.

The Consul was equally nice...my interviewer was a girl...Consul Deborah.

She didnt even ask my name, she actually said, "You are Ms. ______, right?" I said yes.

The rest of the questions:

1. How did u meet?

2. In what chatroom we met?

3. Has he been married before?

4. Have I been married before?

5. Do each of us or do we have children?

6. Looking at the pics..."Is he a filipino?"..i said "no, he is a korean."...she joked, "Oh, it doesnt matter, I just wanna ask."

After few seconds of stamping something and signing on my papers, she told me, "OK Ma'am, Ur visa has just been approved. Go to the waiting area and wait for your name to be called."...I was so thrilled....Approval statement came out from her mouth...i just kept on thanking her.

Its true that once you are infront of the interviewer, you wont be nervous anymore as long as everything you will say is true. Nothing to be worried about.

Again and again...all cases are different from each other...there are still consuls who denies visa...just be prepared and pray, pray, pray...

When God is in control, everything will be in their right places.

Goodluck to all who will have their interviews soon!

Godbless us always.

[island_princess 2]

Congrats, jeng!!!!!

BTW, can I see tour timeline so I can estimate my interview date (hind naman excited no. he hehe).

Hi guys,

I'd just like to share my experience during the interview day...I cannot believe that the 2 interviews I had were so pleasant...just like what others are saying, we're just making ourselves nervous but in reality, it could be your most memorable interview in ur lifetime..hehehe...but its normal to be nervous..actually, it is still okay to be nervous so you could prepare yourself more...most of the times, too much confidence and reluctancy bring you to harm...

The filipino interviewer was so nice..she is already like a mommy so i felt like i am just talking to my mom...she got my birth certificate, nbi, cenomar, my fiance's affidavit of support, certificate of employment, 2006 ITR and W2 only, some pics, cards, emails and phonecards. She only asked me these questions:

1. How did u meet?

2. How many times he came here? and how long for each trip?

3. How many are they living in their house?

4. Are his parents dependent on him?

5. Has he been married before?

6. Have I been married before?

7. Do each of us or do we have children?

8. Where am i working?

I guess thats it..it was just a short interview.

The Consul was equally nice...my interviewer was a girl...Consul Deborah.

She didnt even ask my name, she actually said, "You are Ms. ______, right?" I said yes.

The rest of the questions:

1. How did u meet?

2. In what chatroom we met?

3. Has he been married before?

4. Have I been married before?

5. Do each of us or do we have children?

6. Looking at the pics..."Is he a filipino?"..i said "no, he is a korean."...she joked, "Oh, it doesnt matter, I just wanna ask."

After few seconds of stamping something and signing on my papers, she told me, "OK Ma'am, Ur visa has just been approved. Go to the waiting area and wait for your name to be called."...I was so thrilled....Approval statement came out from her mouth...i just kept on thanking her.

Its true that once you are infront of the interviewer, you wont be nervous anymore as long as everything you will say is true. Nothing to be worried about.

Again and again...all cases are different from each other...there are still consuls who denies visa...just be prepared and pray, pray, pray...

When God is in control, everything will be in their right places.

Goodluck to all who will have their interviews soon!

Godbless us always.

Anyone knows the answer to my question....

Hello Everyone,

Right now, we do not have our Manila Case No. yet from NVC. Is it too early for me to fill-out the forms needed for the interview? especially the DS forms...

Please advise.

[David-and-Mae 15]

....... After few seconds of stamping something and signing on my papers, she told me, "OK Ma'am, Ur visa has just been approved. Go to the waiting area and wait for your name to be called."...I was so thrilled....Approval statement came out from her mouth...i just kept on thanking her.

Its true that once you are infront of the interviewer, you wont be nervous anymore as long as everything you will say is true. Nothing to be worried about.

Again and again...all cases are different from each other...there are still consuls who denies visa...just be prepared and pray, pray, pray...

When God is in control, everything will be in their right places.

Goodluck to all who will have their interviews soon!

Godbless us always.

Congratulations again jeng! Thanks for sharing your experience. It will surely help us who are about to have our interview in the coming days.

June is fast approaching. I can't believe that after all the hardships and trials that we had to go through, we're almost there and will be reunited with our loved ones.

Here's to the rest of the June interview batch and to everyone! May we all be successful!

Mae

[jeng 0]

Congrats, jeng!!!!!

BTW, can I see tour timeline so I can estimate my interview date (hind naman excited no. he hehe).

Hi guys,

I'd just like to share my experience during the interview day...I cannot believe that the 2 interviews I had were so pleasant...just like what others are saying, we're just making ourselves nervous but in reality, it could be your most memorable interview in ur lifetime..hehehe...but its normal to be nervous..actually, it is still okay to be nervous so you could prepare yourself more...most of the times, too much confidence and reluctancy bring you to harm...

The filipino interviewer was so nice..she is already like a mommy so i felt like i am just talking to my mom...she got my birth certificate, nbi, cenomar, my fiance's affidavit of support, certificate of employment, 2006 ITR and W2 only, some pics, cards, emails and phonecards. She only asked me these questions:

1. How did u meet?

2. How many times he came here? and how long for each trip?

3. How many are they living in their house?

4. Are his parents dependent on him?

5. Has he been married before?

6. Have I been married before?

7. Do each of us or do we have children?

8. Where am i working?

I guess thats it..it was just a short interview.

The Consul was equally nice...my interviewer was a girl...Consul Deborah.

She didnt even ask my name, she actually said, "You are Ms. ______, right?" I said yes.

The rest of the questions:

1. How did u meet?

2. In what chatroom we met?

3. Has he been married before?

4. Have I been married before?

5. Do each of us or do we have children?

6. Looking at the pics..."Is he a filipino?"..i said "no, he is a korean."...she joked, "Oh, it doesnt matter, I just wanna ask."

After few seconds of stamping something and signing on my papers, she told me, "OK Ma'am, Ur visa has just been approved. Go to the waiting area and wait for your name to be called."...I was so thrilled....Approval statement came out from her mouth...i just kept on thanking her.

Its true that once you are infront of the interviewer, you wont be nervous anymore as long as everything you will say is true. Nothing to be worried about.

Again and again...all cases are different from each other...there are still consuls who denies visa...just be prepared and pray, pray, pray...

When God is in control, everything will be in their right places.

Goodluck to all who will have their interviews soon!

Godbless us always.

Anyone knows the answer to my question....

Hello Everyone,

Right now, we do not have our Manila Case No. yet from NVC. Is it too early for me to fill-out the forms needed for the interview? especially the DS forms...

Please advise.

Here is our timeline:

November 10, 2006 - filed petition to USCIS

November 28, 2006 - USCIS receives the petition

February 13, 2007 - Petition approved

February 28, 2007 - Case forwarded to Manila by NVC

May 15, 2007 - Schedule Medical but took it on May 10-11, 2007

May 22, 2007 - Interview schedule - Approved!

May 28, 2007 - Visa was delivered.

Goodluck to you!

[Richard&Maria 0]

Hi to all.....

Im facing packing problems, were taking 4 big luggages, 2 carry ons and back packs but still we have some more things that are valuable for me and my son and we're bound to leave next week. Im wondering if somebody here know an inexpensive way of sending my stuffs in the US like Forex or like the balikbayan boxes.

Any input will be helpful

Thanks

Hi gracy,

I came to the USA with my 2 sons and so we had 6 boxes, 3 handcarries and 3 backpacks and I still had so much left in Manila so I understand the predicament you are in. And I had already bought around 6 boxes in my previous trips to the USA while waiting for the fiancee visa to be approved.

Allow me to share my experience on packing items to bring to USA. First, use balikbayan boxes instead of luggages...the boxes are lighter and carry more items...buy the UTILITY BOX brand of balikbyan box available at National bookstore in Manila and use ductape to seal the edges and the top and bottom...the boxes can load up to 1.5 times of the luggage capacity...and the customs people at port of entry dont normally open the boxes since they know it is hard to seal again..just be sure no fresh fruits and meat items in the boxes.

Choose the items to carry...more esp the items your son will miss or are attached to...most of the Filipino foods are available in the stores and supermarkets in the USA so no need to bring too much. And you will want to try new food items here anyway. Also, the clothes in the Phils are only good for summer wear in the USA so you also need to buy clothes in the USA. And make sure that the clothes you bring can stand washing and drying in the washing machine, normally no ironing of clothes in USA.

I suggest you bring the emergency medicines for your son that he may need within the first 2 months that you may not yet be covered by medical insurance. Normally, medical insurance also covers medicines so dont buy too much. Meds for cough, colds, fever are available at most supermarkets here but not the asthma and allergy meds and they come in different brand names. Grown ups can adjust faster than kids and you dont want to take chances.

If your son has not yet flown long haul flights, it will be best to see a pedia and get a presciption for ear ache drops and nausea from flights...my youngest son had ear ache and clogged nose and asthma meds with him in the flight...and he is already 12 years old, and he had an asthma attack here so we were prepared and brought his meds and nebulizer.

Oh, and remember to bring him something to amuse him over the long hours in the plane...a coloring book or a toy and some powdered milk...you can ask for hot water from the flight attendant...or you can request for bulkhead seats if you are travelling with children since you are the first priority for boarding.

Pack the rest of the items which you cant bring also in balikabayan boxes properly labelled with your USA address and surely there will be a relative or a friend who can bring it for you at a later trip. DHL and Fedex normally charge $150-$200 per box, door to door, but will the contents be worth the shipping cost?

Hope to have shared some thoughts with you.

Maria

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

My wife just called me and she was going to get a new NBI clearance and certified copy of her birth certificate, but they just told her there were too many people in line and she would not receive her papers today. Her flight for Manila leaves tomorrow, so she cannot return. (We just got our interview appointment last week, which is why we are in such a rush)

According to the interview letter I received it says they already have approved the NBI clearance and certified birth certificate I sent in with her application. I sent in originals, not photocopies.

Does that mean she does not have to have another copy, she was just getting them in case there was a problem with the ones they received?

If she has to, she will have a few days between her medical and her interview where she can go and get the papers while she is in Manila. I am hoping she will get her medical done this Wednesday and Thursday, then her interview is next Wednesday, June 6.

[rea 1]

My wife just called me and she was going to get a new NBI clearance and certified copy of her birth certificate, but they just told her there were too many people in line and she would not receive her papers today. Her flight for Manila leaves tomorrow, so she cannot return. (We just got our interview appointment last week, which is why we are in such a rush)

According to the interview letter I received it says they already have approved the NBI clearance and certified birth certificate I sent in with her application. I sent in originals, not photocopies.

Does that mean she does not have to have another copy, she was just getting them in case there was a problem with the ones they received?

If she has to, she will have a few days between her medical and her interview where she can go and get the papers while she is in Manila. I am hoping she will get her medical done this Wednesday and Thursday, then her interview is next Wednesday, June 6.

hi dogwood, i got my nbi clearance for 3 hours only at the parksquare 1-makati city kiosk(manila)..there are actually 4 kiosks where she can renew her clearance, and it is located in:

1)Park Square I, Makati City

2)SM Mega Mall (Bldg. B. Basement), Mandaluyong City

3)Gotesco Grand Central , Monumento Caloocan City

4)Tutuban Center Mall 1, Divisoria

while, she is waiting for her medical and interview, she can obtain her clearance as all these kiosks are located in Manila, all she needs to bring is a copy of her old certificate and pay the corresponding fee..for details, here is the nbi website -NBI CLEARANCE

for the bc, she can choose to get it from nso online and just have it delivered to a place where she is staying, it normally is delivered within a week's time...website for the online request can be accessed here.. -NSO birth certificate/ cenomar/others yes it is a little expensive but it is convenient..

hope i am able to help you..goodluck!

[gracy_byron 0]

Hi to all.....

Im facing packing problems, were taking 4 big luggages, 2 carry ons and back packs but still we have some more things that are valuable for me and my son and we're bound to leave next week. Im wondering if somebody here know an inexpensive way of sending my stuffs in the US like Forex or like the balikbayan boxes.

Any input will be helpful

Thanks

Hi gracy,

I came to the USA with my 2 sons and so we had 6 boxes, 3 handcarries and 3 backpacks and I still had so much left in Manila so I understand the predicament you are in. And I had already bought around 6 boxes in my previous trips to the USA while waiting for the fiancee visa to be approved.

Allow me to share my experience on packing items to bring to USA. First, use balikbayan boxes instead of luggages...the boxes are lighter and carry more items...buy the UTILITY BOX brand of balikbyan box available at National bookstore in Manila and use ductape to seal the edges and the top and bottom...the boxes can load up to 1.5 times of the luggage capacity...and the customs people at port of entry dont normally open the boxes since they know it is hard to seal again..just be sure no fresh fruits and meat items in the boxes.

Choose the items to carry...more esp the items your son will miss or are attached to...most of the Filipino foods are available in the stores and supermarkets in the USA so no need to bring too much. And you will want to try new food items here anyway. Also, the clothes in the Phils are only good for summer wear in the USA so you also need to buy clothes in the USA. And make sure that the clothes you bring can stand washing and drying in the washing machine, normally no ironing of clothes in USA.

I suggest you bring the emergency medicines for your son that he may need within the first 2 months that you may not yet be covered by medical insurance. Normally, medical insurance also covers medicines so dont buy too much. Meds for cough, colds, fever are available at most supermarkets here but not the asthma and allergy meds and they come in different brand names. Grown ups can adjust faster than kids and you dont want to take chances.

If your son has not yet flown long haul flights, it will be best to see a pedia and get a presciption for ear ache drops and nausea from flights...my youngest son had ear ache and clogged nose and asthma meds with him in the flight...and he is already 12 years old, and he had an asthma attack here so we were prepared and brought his meds and nebulizer.

Oh, and remember to bring him something to amuse him over the long hours in the plane...a coloring book or a toy and some powdered milk...you can ask for hot water from the flight attendant...or you can request for bulkhead seats if you are travelling with children since you are the first priority for boarding.

Pack the rest of the items which you cant bring also in balikabayan boxes properly labelled with your USA address and surely there will be a relative or a friend who can bring it for you at a later trip. DHL and Fedex normally charge $150-$200 per box, door to door, but will the contents be worth the shipping cost?

Hope to have shared some thoughts with you.

Maria

Thanks a lot Maria! Your reply is really informative. I already bought 4 big luggages and 2 carry ons but Im thinking of ditching the other luggage in replace of the box, your right a box can carry more than the luggage. We'll be flying PI airlines and I checked with them if we could take his Barney stuff toy, they said aside from the 2 luggages, 1 carry on and back pack he can bring Barney too which is really great, then his laptop on his back pack.

We're off to see his pedia tomorrow for his booster shots, and got your reply in a good time, thanks for the advice about the ear drops

Congrats Jeng

[CherylandMike 0]

PW,

We picked up Cheryl's visa package at the Delbos office in Cebu on May 23. They were kind enough to text Cheryl as soon as it arrived so we could pick it up and get the CFO sticker in time to make our flight the next day. Arrived LAX May 24. We went through the visitors line together at POE with no problems. Thanks for maintaining this list. It's been a convenient way to see how things are progressing for people going through Manila. Plus all the pearls of wisdom you're shared...

Mike

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

hi dogwood, i got my nbi clearance for 3 hours only at the parksquare 1-makati city kiosk(manila)..there are actually 4 kiosks where she can renew her clearance, and it is located in:

1)Park Square I, Makati City

2)SM Mega Mall (Bldg. B. Basement), Mandaluyong City

3)Gotesco Grand Central , Monumento Caloocan City

4)Tutuban Center Mall 1, Divisoria

while, she is waiting for her medical and interview, she can obtain her clearance as all these kiosks are located in Manila, all she needs to bring is a copy of her old certificate and pay the corresponding fee..for details, here is the nbi website -NBI CLEARANCE

for the bc, she can choose to get it from nso online and just have it delivered to a place where she is staying, it normally is delivered within a week's time...website for the online request can be accessed here.. -NSO birth certificate/ cenomar/others yes it is a little expensive but it is convenient..

hope i am able to help you..goodluck!

Thanks for the info! Kathlene will try and get another bc & NBI while she is in Manila, but what I was wondering is if she needs to have them for her interview. on the 'Notice To Visa Applicants' it says they have received the originals of her bc & NBI so she may not need another copy, but it would be good to have them anyway.

[RonMay 1]

hey guys anybody here knows a travel agent/agency in the US? we wanted to buy a ticket for phil and we want it around in between sept to nov. i dont have the green card yet (hoping to have it this yr in God's will) and my husband's business is so unpredictable, so if possible we could buy a ticket which we could change the date/time if its needed. its just hard to do it online like orbitz.com where we usually buy our tickets coz their date is fixed. thanks for the help!

ron/may

[karlehoney 0]

cheers people!!!!!

[Pinay Wife 47]

Can someone help us answer question 37 on DS156? My fiancee has several half-brothers and half-sisters in the US. A couple only about 45 minutes from me. She says she didn't grow up with them, doesn't know them, doesn't know their status, and would rather leave it blank. I think not. Does anyone know for sure how to fill this out? And what does she do to list them all? It doesn't fit in the box.

If she knows about the half-siblings, she has to declare them. Just put "I don't know" for status. During interview, just tell the truth that she does not know them and did not grow up with them. Additional sheet can be added if space is not enough.

We picked up Cheryl's visa package at the Delbos office in Cebu on May 23. They were kind enough to text Cheryl as soon as it arrived so we could pick it up and get the CFO sticker in time to make our flight the next day. Arrived LAX May 24. We went through the visitors line together at POE with no problems. Thanks for maintaining this list. It's been a convenient way to see how things are progressing for people going through Manila. Plus all the pearls of wisdom you're shared...

Thank you for the update and the kind words, Mike. Have a happy married life!

hey guys anybody here knows a travel agent/agency in the US?

I have not tried them but if you want a reputable Filipino travel agency, you may want to try LBC Travel. Click here http://www.teamlbc.com/01prdts.html

Updating list.... June is around the corner. Good luck to our June batch.

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..Skeeter211......01-17-07..02-27-07..04-02-07..05-03-07..2007-52xxxx..OK..May 11/08 days/Davao

02..chadandlira.....01-25-07..xx-xx-xx..04-02-07..05-09-07..2007-536xxx..OK..May 16/07 days/Gen. Santos

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

04..chadmides.......02-12-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..05-17-07..2007-547xxx..OK..May 24/07 days/??

05..gracy_byron.....02-08-07..02-28-07..xx-xx-xx..05-18-07..2007-xxxxxx..OK..May 23/05 days/Pick up

06..joemaria........02-12-07..02-28-07..xx-xx-xx..05-22-07..2007-55xxxx..OK

07..Jeng............02-13-07..02-28-07..03-31-07..05-22-07..2007-554xxx..OK..May 28/06 days/Manila

08..imaskin.........02-21-07..xx-xx-xx..03-30-07..05-24-07..2007-xxxxxx..OK

09..princess sutil..02-20-07..xx-xx-xx..04-02-07..05-24-07..2007-xxxxxx

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

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

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

13..elmasguapo......12-15-06..01-08-07..xx-xx-xx..07-03-07..2006-xxxxxx

14..CountryBoy......03-29-07..04-23-07..xx-xx-xx..07-04-07..2007-608xxx

15..dave&evan.......04-12-07..04-25-07..xx-xx-xx..07-05-07..2007-60xxxx

16..trakon2002......04-05-07..xx-xx-xx..04-25-07..07-11-07..2007-613xxx

17..happyinlove.....04-14-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..07-11-07..2007-xxxxxx

18..C&M14...........05-03-07..xx-xx-xx..05-25-07..07-11-07..2007-62xxxx

19..rea.............05-01-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

20..Anthony Julie...05-xx-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-63xxxx

K3 LIST

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

02..CherylandMike...02-05-07..02-26-07..05-03-07..05-16-07..2007-546xxx..OK..May 23/07 days/Cebu

03..Robor007........02-06-07..02-26-07..03-30-07..05-16-07..2007-546xxx..OK..May 23/07 days/??

04..jeffry..........02-07-07..02-26-07..xx-xx-xx..05-16-07..2007-546xxx..OK..May 18/02 days/??

05..luvbugs4ever....12-14-06..12-21-06..03-02-07..07-03-07..2006-8xxxxx

06..islandprincess..05-21-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

IR-1/CR-1

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

01..orimai..........10-16-06..03-08-07..02-19-07..05-30-07..2006-xxxxxx..

02..Gobruins........12-20-06..04-03-07..xx-xx-xx..05-23-07..2007-50xxxx..OK

03..crambajoy.......09-19-06..05-10-07..05-23-06..06-20-07..2007-xxxxxx

04..StarProg........12-28-06..05-10-07..xx-xx-xx..06-28-07..2007-508xxx

05..islandprincess..05-21-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

[joemaria 0]

Hi ate Cora pls update us:

Visa received May 28, 2007, Manila

Thanks everyone for all the support!

[RonMay 1]

hey guys anybody here knows a travel agent/agency in the US?

I have not tried them but if you want a reputable Filipino travel agency, you may want to try LBC Travel. Click here http://www.teamlbc.com/01prdts.html

thanks patiently! i called but they still not open. pacific time they say lol. well il try later on. but thanks so much!!! good job on keeping the list. i was once there. it really give us some ideas on how far or how soon are we from getting an interview!