|
|
| Manila, Philippines |  Review on December 22, 2020: |
user555
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My wife had an early interview, so she got there before 6 AM. She said she was twentieth in line. I was in Manila, but they are banning petitioners from attending the interview. The vendors were outside selling stuff and making up fake things about the embassy. My wife heard that only ballpoint pens (she had a different kind) were allowed inside, so she bought one. It turns out she didn't have to sign anything. (Don't listen to the vendors). The guard checked her DS-260 and passport. She didn't bring her phone in either. The group of applicants was let in around 6:30 AM, but my wife didn't have her interview until 8:30 AM. Her scheduled interview was way earlier than that though. She saw a Filipina mother and child turned away at the first check of documents station because they didn't even complete their medical exam yet.
She entered the building, and the Filipino employee asked her some basic questions about her birthday, name, petitioner's name, etc. She then did her fingerprint scanning and was sent to a waiting area. While she was waiting, she could hear a loud American officer interviewing people at a window. The Filipina applicant didn't speak English that well, so he called in an interpreter. She also saw another lady get a 221G because she worked overseas 10 years ago and didn't have a police clearance for that country. Another applicant got a 221G because they didn't have the CENOMAR/CEMAR. I blame the embassy for this. They are very vague on this and only say that you need it "if applicable." Every CR1-IR1 applicant needs it. The US Dept of State has clearer instructions. I wonder if the embassy does this on purpose just to mess with people.
My wife didn't want that loud officer, and luckily, she was sent to a closed room. There was still an officer behind a window, but there was a closed door behind her. The officer asked about her birthday, name, petitioner's name, what she would do once she went to the States, what address she will live at, and asked about my income. Last year, my income was under the requirement. This year, it was over the requirement. She looked at my pay stubs and proof of income, but only casually. The officer really didn't study it. I submitted 50 pages worth of income, assets, and domicile to CEAC weeks before the interview. No one reviewed it.
We got married in Manila. The officer asked why did the petitioner not return to the US after marrying you? (Um, the answer is because I didn't want to be away from my spouse, and I could work remotely. Who really wants to leave their spouse right away?).
My wife was approved. All in all, it was about 3 hours. She had to use a vendor's phone on the street to call for her ride who was waiting nearby. 40 pesos.
The US government needs to hire more people at USCIS, NVC, and the embassy. If it takes 18 months to get an approval, logic would dictate that more staff members would allow them to close down that gap to 6 months. The months of frustration, stress, and wondering if what you submitted is correct is now over.
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #28931