Approved (Manila!)

dj1206 · September 11, 2007

Hello all,

I just wanted to give the good news in a post in this forum that J's K1 visa has been approved. She had her interview on Monday morning her time, or Sunday night my time, and it went very smoothly and quickly. We were expecting her to be at the embassy for many hours waiting, but she had gotten back home and had told me the good news by 9:46pm my time last night. We had both read horror stories about the Manila embassy and questions used to manipulate or confuse people, and also downright mean CO's. However, J gave me a description of her process yesterday as well as the questions she was asked, and nothing bad that I or she had heard or read on here and other places came true. I think the most interesting question they asked her that I didn't think to "rehearse" her on was when she was asked if I had told her about the difference in weather here versus there in the Phils. J of course said yes, because I've mentioned it gets a little cold here in the winters, especially cold to a Filipina! It's not as bad cold-wise as it is farther inland or up north, but it does get cold. They asked her a related question about snow, too, and she responded correctly that we don't get a lot of snow here on the coast of NC. It snows here maybe once every three years. Glad I already told her about the weather, I guess, since she was asked so much about it!!!

One thing that I think we've both taken from the interview process in Manila, at least, is to not over-prepare your packets. I don't know how many pounds J's final packets weighed (what I sent to her was 8lbs), but it was heavy. During her pre-interview time, they asked for her appt letter and various forms that she had filled out, plus my affadavit of support, my last W2, one letter from/to me, one email to/from me, one card, and five photos. We'll just say that 95% of the papers she brought with her from various packets were never needed. But that doesn't mean that everyone just needs to bring only one of each item. I believe she brought roughly 100 pictures of us together. I think the CO was already largely convinced based on the evidence I sent with my original submission, so not a lot was required except newer more recent materials.

The CO was described as a younger lady, first name Clara, approximately 30 years old, who was likely a Protestant Christian because she seemed happy to hear that J and I were not Catholic during the interview.

The questions J indicated she was asked were:

What is my age? Where did we meet? Where and when did J first see me in person? When was my last trip to the Philippines? Why did she choose to chat with me? They appear to have asked her again, how old I am. Then they asked how old she is. How many visits have I made to RP? What state am I from? Did D tell you about the weather where he lives? Snow? Tell me a little about your fiancé.

After those were answered, the lady basically said "That's about it" and then said to sit back down and wait for her priority number to be called again, if they need to see more docs, she'd be asked asked again. If not, they will give you a slip for Delbros window/fee. Her number was posted and she got a pink slip and the pictures, letter, card, email were returned to her. J paid her Delbros fee and was told 1-3 business days (but was told it could be longer depending on Visa and her location in the Phils) before she receives her passport with the Visa attached. They also told her via the slip, I believe, not to make travel plans before having the visa in hand.

Anyway, that's the bulk of the interview story for Manila. Thank God we are approved!!!!

D

Todsbin · September 11, 2007

I wud like to say Congratulations for the both of you :thumbs:

KansasDragon · September 11, 2007

:thumbs: :dance: :dance: Congratulations :dance: :dance:

Thank you for your report, too. Any advice I can giveAnnie before the 13th is helpful. LOL, I'm one of those "inlanders" luckily Ann understands about our weater,too. Not only from me, but from a couple local Filipina, that she has been chatting with since I introduced them online months ago.