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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on September 28, 2009: |
~happyndinlove~
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Event: Visa Interview (Experience)
When: Friday, September 04, 2009
Where: US Embassy Manila, Philippines
1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila Philippines 1000
My schedule was 8:30 am. I arrived at the Embassy at seven. When I left at the hotel, the weather was nice but, as soon as I got to the Embassy ground the rain suddenly began to pour. Grrr! Mean weather! I don't like rain. LOL! While in line, I heard the security guard announcing that we can't bring any gadgets in such as CP, USB, camera etc., so, I had to pay one of the vendors outside to watch my CP for me. Frankly, I didn't care about my CP unit, all I worried about was my SIM card memory. Lol!
It took me about 10 minutes to fall in line. The (bossy, hmp! lol) lady guard instructed me to sit down and wait at the gate #2. I did not wait long. I got inside the Embassy building at around 7:50. I was all excited and a bit nervous at the same time but, mostly I was happy and all relaxed until I was asked for a copy of my DS-230. Ugh!  While the number lady handing me my (lucky) number (6017), I was scolding myself for "how dare I" forgetting my DS-230? Dang it! I wasn't thinking. Lol! For a brief moment, it made me feel nervous and unease. Haha! Good thing the (number) lady told me not to fret about it and just relax. So she gave me the form and told me to give it back to her after completing.
30 minutes later and there comes my name being paged for finger scanning at window 16. Yay! The Filipina lady asked me 2 questions. My full name and DOB (so quickly) then told me to seat back down. The pre-interview took a little longer than I thought it would. My name was called in hour and a half after my fingers were scanned. While waiting, I occupied myself chatting around with three nice (older) women whom I met during my medical. Nice meeting you, Ates! Hihi)
We were in the middle of our chit-chat when I saw my number flashed on a queue board. Approaching window 28 for my pre-interview. The pre-screener was a (45-50 year old) Filipino male. He wasn't there at his table when I came. I'm glad he was not because it gave me some times to relax myself and took a deep breath. Jus thought I need it. Lol! Not so long after and there he was, coming in to his cubicle, smiling and said..."Good morning! You are Eileen _____?! I answered, Yes Sir, good morning! Then he said, you seem to be very happy as if you are approved already. I smiled back at him and said, yes sir, I am very happy and I am certainly hoping to get my "visa approved today". He smiled and says, I like your positive attitude. Very optimistic. He then sat down and asked me the following questions while jotting down something on his computer;
*Pre-Screener: Who is your petitioner?
*Me: My Husband, Sir!
*Pre-Screener: What's your Date of Birth?
*Me: November 2* ****, Sir!
*Pre-Screener: (shocked me with an unexpected tricky question)- Why you don't like Filipino guy?
..(i smiled and was about to answer his probing-type Q when he interupted me by saying..."oh, I was just joking! I did not expect for any "inappropriate" comment(s) but I wasn't surprised either, so no biggie.)"
These are the only questions he asked, so far. Painlessly easy and I thought we were done until he suddenly sprung another "tricky" comments on me like....."wow! your husband makes a lot of money while looking at the tax return forms." Although, I did not anything wrong about his comment but, his motivation was very apparent. Lol. After that, he asked for a couple of our wedding photos, money receipts, cards and letters and told me to wait for my name to be called. The pre-interview went smoothly and easy.
The final interview followed 25 minutes after. I was called in at cubicle 32. Yay! Here we go. -The CO was pleasant and fine. He greeted me good morning in Tagalog. He asked me which language I prefer (I picked English) and asked me to raise my right hand and so on and immediately bombed me with the following questions;
*CO: What is your name?
*Me: Eileen *****, Sir!
*CO: Who is your petitioner?
*Me: My Husband, Sir!
*CO: When is your wedding anniversary?
*Me: September 1st, Sir!
*CO: Oh! So just three days ago, huh? Happy Anniversary!
*Me: Oh, Thank you very much, Sir!
*CO: You're welcome! Have you been outside the country?
*Me: (Confidently I answered) No, Sir!
*CO: When was the last time you saw your husband?
*Me: Last August 8th, Sir!
*CO: (and again, an unexpected question), Why did you choose him for your husband? Don't tell me because you love him, tell me something else. (Ganun? Haha!)
*Me: Because he is *********, Sir! "-Yes, I gave him the best answer I could possibly think of without any hesitation and apparently, it satisfied the CO very well that the only words he could utter thereafter was...
*CO: Congratulations! Your visa has been approved!
*Me: (wanting to make sure i heard him right. lol!) Pardon me, Sir? Did you say my visa is approved?
*CO: (smiling) -Yes, you'e approved!
*Me: (Thanking God silently first and...)"- Thank you so very much, Sir! You have a great day!
*CO: You're welcome! Thanks! You too!
I remained seated as he was handing our stuff back to me. Prior to the interview, I made sure I'm well prepared for anything the CO may ask. But so far, these are the only questions he threw at me. Lol. The interesting part though is when he also made a comment regarding how much money my husband make. Was that a coinsidence? Nah! We don't think so. Lol. Anyway, he congratulated me again as I was stepping out of one of the luckiest booth on the planet.
The last waiting part was for the pink slip at the window 37. It took me more or less 30 minutes before I was finally called over. Paid the visa fee delivery, filled up the Air21 form and exited the Embassy premises with a big smile on my face. Having the famous pink slip in my hand was such a wonderful and inexplainable feeling knowing that I will be with my husband very soon.
☺☻☺
By the way, we submitted an (evidence of ongoing relationship) file prior to the interview. Interview went fairly quick and with no surprises however, be prepared for the "tricky" questions and observations which seemed to be an attempt at discovering true intent.
Thank you Dear LORD ALMIGHTY for being with us throughout this journey!
~Mrs. Happy
(updated on August 21, 2013)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #5025