|
|
| Manila, Philippines |  Review on December 11, 2009: |
bowgirl
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I was scheduled for an 8:30 appointment. I arrived at the embassy around 6:45 and was instructed by the embassy guard to sit with the other 8:30 applicants. After few minutes, the guard told us we can go inside the embassy and asked us to sit behind the 8:00 applicants.It was very cold inside. Around 8:15, the guard told us to get our queue number from the ticket booth. The lady took the first 2 pages of my appointment letter and asked where was my passport and medical. I told her Saint Luke's kept it and I was told that they will forward it to the embassy. Then she asked if I was pregnant, I said no. She then gave me my number. They were calling numbers/names for finger scanning so I had to be attentive because the sound was too low and choppy. It took almost 2 hours before my name was called to Window 16 for my fingers to be scanned. I was quick. Some people can't follow simple instructions that's why it took them longer than it should. Anyway, after 5 minutes, my number (6082) flashed on the board with the corresponding window which was Window 20. The Filipino was a little rude but tolerable, he was holding my documents so I didn't want to 'upset" him more. He asked me questions about Chris, about my address (and he knows where it is), about our meeting, asked for proof of relationship. I gave him my clear books but he snapped at me and said that they already have a folder with my papers so he won't be needing another one. He told me to just remove and give him few pictures, remittances, chat and phone logs. Then he told me to sit and wait for my number to be flashed again. After few minutes, I saw my number flashing on the board and at Window 30. I went there and saw the door was closed so I waited for the previous applicant to come out. I then entered the room and saw this American guy (with a mixture of Charlie Sheen and Bill Pullman), he greeted me "Magandang Umaga" with a smile. So I replied in Tagalog. He asked me to raise my right hand and made me swear that I'll tell him nothing but the truth. It was very light. He's very accomodating and made me feel at ease. He asked me very few questions with side comments. When he saw my corrected Birth Certificate, he went through my documents as if he was looking for something. Then he looked at me and said he will need one more NBI with my mispelled name. I grinned at him and said I have it and handed it to him. He looked at it and smiled and said he was impressed. He said, normally when he tells applicants he'd need NBI with a.k.a, they would say they have it but gives him the same document, that's why he's impressed that I already have it with me. I told him I visited embassy website a week before my interview date that's why I knew I would be needing it so I applied. Then he typed something on his PC and said my visa was approved. He told me to wait outside for further instructions. I smiled and thanked him and greeted him advance merry christmas. Few minutes later, my name was called to Window 38 for that famous "pink slip" and Air 21 form to be filled out. I was surprised to see the pink slip everybody was talking about. There was nothing special about it, really. So I went to Air 21 counter and paid 205.00 and left. It was a good experience, something I would always want to remember. All the hardwork paid off, it was a long journey but turned out to be worth-waiting for in the end. And it's not as scary as many people thought. I, myself, was scared and the night before the interview was the longest night I ever had. I felt the pressure because I knew that me and my husband's lives together depends on how I'll handle that interview, and that feeling is normal for normal people like me. But as long as you tell the truth and you're not hiding anything and you have all the documents to support your case, everything will be fine.
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #5388