Manila Embassy Interview Questions

[seekingthetruth 1,246]

@Letty & Mali I just read your review and copied it here.  Thanks for the review!  I have a few related questions for you or the others.

 

Although the petitioner's presence is not required, I could definitely tell my being there had a definite positive impact! My fiancé was extremely nervous and stepdaughter (17 yrs old) was very engaging with the questions. The official and I were very chatty and my stepdaughter jumped right in like a pro! I believe our family dynamics went VERY far to make our case. Because of the distance I traveled, Maryland to Philippines, my presence and support was the highpoint of the highly successful interview. I made a great decision in going there AND I surprised my fiancé by showing up and supporting our effort.

 

1.  I thought, generally speaking, that the petitioner was not allowed in to the interview(s)?  Maybe that was at other consulates.  I hope I can accompany my wife and step daughter to the interviews.

 

2.  We planned to have my stepdaughter interview when she was 17, but now we have to delay one year, so she will be 18.  I am trying to keep my wife and step daughter linked through the entire process, including the interviews and the visa issuance.  Will turning 18 have any impact on her ability to do the interview with her mom?  Although she will be 18, she is still just a kid in my mind. 🙂

[flicks1998 1,044]

4 hours ago, seekingthetruth said:

@Letty & Mali I just read your review and copied it here.  Thanks for the review!  I have a few related questions for you or the others.

 

Although the petitioner's presence is not required, I could definitely tell my being there had a definite positive impact! My fiancé was extremely nervous and stepdaughter (17 yrs old) was very engaging with the questions. The official and I were very chatty and my stepdaughter jumped right in like a pro! I believe our family dynamics went VERY far to make our case. Because of the distance I traveled, Maryland to Philippines, my presence and support was the highpoint of the highly successful interview. I made a great decision in going there AND I surprised my fiancé by showing up and supporting our effort.

 

1.  I thought, generally speaking, that the petitioner was not allowed in to the interview(s)?  Maybe that was at other consulates.  I hope I can accompany my wife and step daughter to the interviews.

 

2.  We planned to have my stepdaughter interview when she was 17, but now we have to delay one year, so she will be 18.  I am trying to keep my wife and step daughter linked through the entire process, including the interviews and the visa issuance.  Will turning 18 have any impact on her ability to do the interview with her mom?  Although she will be 18, she is still just a kid in my mind. 🙂

They must have had their interview before Covid.  I was not allowed in for our K1 last December.  I had to remain outside the Embassy.  But in my own opinion in listening to hundreds of K1s and CR1s going through USEM, it doesnt matter much if you are there or not.  The interview is only a few minutes long.  My fiance received one question.  From the moment she went through security to the moment she walked out of the Embassy was 12 minutes. Others who have had recent interviews will concur that it only lasts a few minutes and ones on this board that had the interviews 5, 10 years ago experienced a similar time frame.

 

Pre-Covid I know USEM would allow the petitioner to be in attendance at the interview.  Other Embassies would not, but during Covid I believe all Embassies do not allow extra people.  Its explained on the interview notice letter very clearly.  I would worry much about it, youve been living with your family for years.  Yours is even more cut and dry then most other applicants. 

 

[Letty & Mali 2]

Thank you!  This occurred in November 2016. We were processing a combination K1 & K2 fiancee visa at the US Embassy, Manila Philippines. At that time it was required that both mother and child was required for the interview. My stepdaughter had just turned 17 yrs old that October. My original plan was to not return for their interview because my presence was not required AND the interview had the option to not have me present.

 

The physical environment in the embassy for the interview was like a bank teller's station. There were about six stations next other wth an external speaker at each. There was a winding line feeding the stations. There was not hint of privacy. In fact, while nearing our que, we heard a loud discussion at the furthest station and we were embarrassed for whoever was involved. When we were next up, we got to go to that same interviewer and we just looked at one another, shrugged and reluctantly marched down to that station expecting the worst. It was not like that at all. The interviewer collected herself and very professionally carried out their duties. I stood behind my fiancee and her daughter. The interviewer saw me and asked me if I was with them and I replied yes. She said I could stay and asked me to move on up. She also said, as she perused through the package, "I see you came from Maryland. Did you come here specifically for this I interview?" I replied yes, to support my fiancee and future stepdaughter. She replied she wished more husbands to be should the same level of interest and commitment. 

 

That really soothed the tension and everything was so comfortable after that. The interview was tremendously more conversational than what we had overheard. This was why I encouraged, when/if it's possible, attend that interview!

[Letty & Mali 2]

I should also mention we arrived around 6:30 am and departed by lunchtime. There were hundreds outside the embassy in a winding line just to get inside. We went inside by groups of about 50 or so. Once at the interview window, the interview took about 20 - 30 minutes. As I said, it was a conversation amongst four interested people with someone (interviewer) asking questions about "our story" together. It was not a sterile cross-examination but a very enjoyable sharing, borderline chance to bragg! The interviewer made a few one-liner jokes and there was no rush. It was more pleasurable than I envisioned it would've been.

 

We did observe that most interviews were about five to ten minutes. With some occurring with minor "fireworks!"

 

What I share here are my own personal experiences. I am not a "knowledgeable" person extolling the rules and directives. This is my story on our experience. We three loved it and still to this day relive our experience with joy and laughter about what happened.

[seekingthetruth 1,246]

 

7 hours ago, Letty & Mali said:

This occurred in November 2016.

Ah, ok.  The review was dated August 2021 so I thought it was recent.  So they might allow it again when Covid dies away.