US EMBASSY IN MANILA MODIFIED INTERVIEW PROCEDURES

[David-Rhosie 0]

Hello to all VJers especially those from the Philippines!

I just recently did an in-depth reading on the US Embassy in Manila web site since i went across the topic on MODIFIED INTERVIEW PROCEDURES while i was browsing the site. I just want to know from the experience of the others who have gone ahead of us in this process. I personally want to know if after the Medical Exam at SLEC the passport will be returned back to us or it will be forwarded to the USEM together with the medical results per information from the GUIDE that I printed out from VJ ( i think frm SILLYGIRL dated Sept. 9, 2006). I have no idea as to whether there are recent changes with the process at SLEC but if there's anyone from here who can share any information about this matter then it will highly be appreciated. I am anticipating for an interview soon but I want to be well-equipped with the necessary information/details that may help make things easy on me. Based on experience, it is always better to be over prepared than under prepared. Thanks in advance for the information that you might be able to share not only to me but to our fellow VJers as well. God bless us all!

Rhosie

Edited August 19, 2007 by Forever in Love

[vsmtghdy 2]

SLEC will put a stamp on her passport then will give her the vaccination records and her CXR films/plates. SLEC will keep the passport and will forward this to USEM together with the medical results. (I had my medical exam last March 19-20, 2007).

[lirachadsbaby 0]

passport wont be returned to you after the medical exam. SLEC will forward it along with your medical results to the embassy but of course, they're gonna give you the x-ray film and the vaccine results.

[David-Rhosie 0]

SLEC will put a stamp on her passport then will give her the vaccination records and her CXR films/plates. SLEC will keep the passport and will forward this to USEM together with the medical results. (I had my medical exam last March 19-20, 2007).

Thanks for the info Helen! But I have read from the US embassy site (http://philippines.usembassy.gov/wwwhniv1.html) this announcement:

DURING THE INTERVIEW

The Nonimmigrant Visa Section has slightly modified its interview procedures.

The check-in process at the entry gate will remain the same. After check-in, applicants will proceed to the Pavilion where they will submit their documents for data entry. Each applicant, or group, will receive a number. When their numbers are called, applicants will proceed to the appropriate window for finger scanning. Under the new procedures, application documents will be returned to each applicant after finger scanning.

Applicants will then maintain possession of all of their documents, including the DS-156 application for a nonimmigrant visa, and their passports for presentation to the interviewing officer.

Please note: Applicants should present only their DS-156 and passport to the interviewing officer. If additional documents are required, the officer will ask for them.

RHOSIE'S COMMENTS: Well, this is the part that gets me a bit confused since you told me that the SLEC will forward the passport together with the medical results to the USEM, so how can I have my passport on hand to present to the interviewing officer when it is already forwarded to them?

The new procedures should expedite the interview process. Embassy personnel are available to provide assistance at each stage.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila does not pre-qualify an applicant. Only an adjudicating consular officer at the time of the interview can determine whether an applicant is eligible for a nonimmigrant visa.

The Consular Section has rolled out new finger scan procedures. All ten fingers of a visa applicant will be electronically scanned in an inkless process at the beginning of the visa interview. The electronic data from the fingerprints will be stored in a database. This information will be available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security immigration officers at ports of entry in the United States as part of the US-VISIT Program. The biometric identifier will be checked at the port of entry in the United States to verify that the person presenting the visa is the same person to whom the visa was issued.

Non-compliance with the requirements mentioned above will result in the non-processing of the visa application.

All applicants are interviewed at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. The Consular Agency in Cebu and the virtual consulate in Davao do not process visa applications.

Applicants who require interpreters must inform the interviewing officer on the day of their interview. The Embassy will provide an interpreter. There is no need to bring a relative or a friend to act as an interpreter.

Upon the conclusion of the interview, the applicant will be advised whether he or she qualifies for the visa. For information on visa release, please visit the Processing Time for Visa Release After Appointment and If You Are Issued A Visa pages

[sunandmoon 450]

the imformation you are posting has to do with other forms of nonimmigrant visas, such as Tourist Visa. while the K-1 is a nonimmigrant visa, it is dealt with more like an immigrant visa. check the info on the website dealing specifically with the Fiancee Visa.

Edited August 20, 2007 by Roy and Yazi

[David-Rhosie 0]

the imformation you are posting has to do with other forms of nonimmigrant visas, such as Tourist Visa. while the K-1 is a nonimmigrant visa, it is dealt with more like an immigrant visa. check the info on the website dealing specifically with the Fiancee Visa.

Oh, so i see!Thanks so much. But i have read the site that you specifically indicated but there's no specific topic that speaks about the "passport" thing! Oh, i hope i didn't miss reading that part though if it's actually there. hehehehe. I might overlooked that since I have been reading so much lately. Thanks anyway.

[sunandmoon 450]

the imformation you are posting has to do with other forms of nonimmigrant visas, such as Tourist Visa. while the K-1 is a nonimmigrant visa, it is dealt with more like an immigrant visa. check the info on the website dealing specifically with the Fiancee Visa.

Oh, so i see!Thanks so much. But i have read the site that you specifically indicated but there's no specific topic that speaks about the "passport" thing! Oh, i hope i didn't miss reading that part though if it's actually there. hehehehe. I might overlooked that since I have been reading so much lately. Thanks anyway.

the others are correct about the passport. I don't remember if there is anything on the website about the passport being taken at the medical by SLEC, then forwarded to the Embassy. have you checked out the Sheriffs Manila Embassy Guide in the Philippine Forum? It contains alot of helpful info.

best of luck with the rest of the process.