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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on July 17, 2021: |
AdamAndRV
Rating:  | Review Topic: General Review
I would like to share my recent immigrant visa (CR1) interview at US Embassy, Manila for those who are about to have theirs. My schedule was 9:40 am.
8:30 am → I went straight to the USEM guard and handed him the copy of my appointment interview letter. He told me to go forward and wait in line under category C.
8:40 am → The staff in charge of category C asked for my passport (which she placed inside a resealable plastic) and my DS-260 confirmation page. She placed a coded sticker on the upper right hand corner of my DS-260. Then she instructed me to go inside and wait in line at “A†section.
8:45 am → Inside the staff instructed me to put all my bags inside the rectangle container. Make sure you didn't bring anything prohibited by USEM (such as electronic devices, lighter, etc.) inside your bags. I was then asked to pass through a scanner and after that the lady guard frisked me. Then I was instructed to take my things and go inside door 2.
8:55 am → I went inside door 2 and I was asked to give all my bags to the male guard while I passed through a scanner. The male guard opened all my bags and checked everything inside. Then I was instructed to sit and wait at Area A.
9:00 am → The USEM staff asked us to stand next to the prescreening windows and wait for our turns.
9:10 am → It was my turn and I went to window 38. I greeted the USEM lady staff, “good morning†and I smiled. She asked for my DS-260. Then she asked me to give her my PSA Birth Certificate, PSA Marriage Certificate, PSA Cenomar or Advisory on Marriage, NBI Clearance and passport. She asked me what is my full name, my birth date, how did we (me and my husband) meet, when did our relationship started, when was our wedding, how many people attended our wedding, what is my mother’s name, what is my father’s name, do I need an interpreter for the interview, which language do I prefer for the interview, english or tagalog, how many times did my husband visited me, when was the last time I was with him, and how do we (me and my husband) communicate and how often. She then asked me if I have brought photos and personal communication but she didn't look at them. She instructed me to show these documents in case the consular officer will ask me for them. She then read my husband’s address asked me to confirm it. After that the only document she returned to me was my DS-260. She said you will get your passport and visa 7 to 10 days after it will be approved today ( in case it will be approved). She smiled, said thank you and good luck. Then she instructed me to go to window 57.
9:35 am → The USEM staff asked me for my DS-260, instructed me to stand and wait for my turn. The lady at window 57 called my name, I greeted her, “good morning†and I smiled. She asked for my full name and date of birth. Then she asked me to press my left four fingers (except the thumb) at the scanner, then my right four fingers and left & right thumb. I did the fingerprint scanning well. I was scared because the lady before me didn't do well with her fingerprint scan and she was instructed to ask the consular officer to take her fingerprint scan because she failed to do so at window 57. The lady staff smiled at me and she returned my DS-260. I said thank you. She instructed me to go to the next windows where the final interview is being done.
9:50 am → The USEM staff asked us to sit and wait for our turn. And after ten minutes she asked the five of us to stand near the final interview windows and wait for our turns.
10:00 am → I was called by the consular officer at window 60. He greeted me “good morning†and smiled. I greeted him good morning and I smiled too. He then asked for my DS-260. He asked me to state my full name and date of birth. Then he asked me to raise my right and swear that everything I will say and disclose are nothing but the truth. I replied. Yes, I swear. Then he asked me a few questions: how did me and my husband meet, when did our relationship started, when was our wedding, how many people attended the wedding, have I been to other countries where I stayed for more than 6 months (I said yes), he asked where (I said UAE), he asked the duration of my stay in UAE (I said from 2007 to 2008), then he noticed my tattoo on my left side arm. He asked me for the meaning of my tattoo and when did i get it. I told him it was a matching tattoo that me and my husband got on January 15, 2018. He said wow just wow. He looked very amazed. He asked if i have children, if my husband got children, if this is my first marriage (yes), if this is my husband’s first marriage (yes) and he asked if we have kids. Then he gave pamphlets both in english and tagalog about my rights. He told me if I will be in trouble and in need of help when im already there, i shouldn't hesitate to call 911 for help. Then he said really loud, congratulations your visa is approved. You are instructed to wait for your visa and passport to arrived at your registered address within 7 to 10 days. Congratulations. I was very happy. I smiled from ear to ear and said thank you so much.
10:10 am → I left USEM very happy. I've more time in Manila before my flight tomorrow and be back to work until I get my visa and passport. Everyone at the US Embassy has been very nice and helpful. It was such a happy experience.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #29879