Consulate Review: Manila, Philippines
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
July 17, 2011 |
| Embassy Review : |
My Interview Experience:
July 15, 2011 Visa Interview @ US Embassy, Manila Philippines
My alarm clock woke me up at 3:30 am, said my thank you to the LORD for a new day. Minutes after that my fiancé, Scott, was ringing me up (he was supposed to wake me up but I beat him to it since I’m already up). I picked the call and said Hello!! Good morning Sweet. We exchanged some sweet words then Scott prayed over me that the interview will went smoothly and we will get APPROVED.
After agreeing in prayers with him, we hung up. I then took my shower (while calling out to my daughter to slowly wake up so she can get herself ready too). My daughter and I have some hot drinks and bread.
At 4:30am, we said our goodbye to my mom (who accompanied us on the trip to give us moral support) and walked towards the Embassy (from the hotel is walkable to the Embassy). There were already a number of people at the waiting area (Baywalk Boulevard) when we reached there.
At about 5:30 a.m., the security officer called those who have a 6:15 a.m. appointment to `Queue` up in one single line. We queued behind those who have a 6:30 appointment time (There are 3 other queue lines on the row: Seafarers, Tourist & I forgot the other name of the queue).
We finally reached the first counter where I handed her my BPI receipts, valid passports, appointment letter, eligibility letter, DS forms (photos attached on DS form 156). She then stapled the documents together and put a sticker with a barcode at the back of our passport. She then handed me back the documents and told me to get into the building.
We went inside the building and put our belongings through the xray belt and went for body check up. We take another door and queue up again (yes, another queue). The lady then asked me to pass her my stapled docs and passport while asking what is our category. I said K1 & K2. She look through my docs and then give me a stub number (for me and my daughter) but did not give me any slip like others do and told me to drop it at window 2 in the next building.
Went for another security check then finally in the reception area. The officer then told me to drop my docs at window 39 (which I insisted that the lady at the counter said it is window 2 and even show him the number that the lady encircle on my docs). But since he knows better, I drop my docs @ window 39 like others do and take a seat while waiting for our number to flash at the screen.
Finally our number appear, (7003) so I grab my stuff and walk to window 54. The Filipino lady is my Pre Screener and she seems nice and kind. We said our greetings which she reciprocate. She ask me and my daughter our names and DOB. She then give me a list of docs and I provided those I have not drop at window 39 (NSO paper of Cenomar, BC, NBI Clearance, valid passport, photos with the petitioner, Affidavit of Support, ITR & W2). After giving it to her, she told my daughter to have a seat while she is interviewing me first (w/c my daughter hesitated to leave by my side at first). When my daughter was out of earshot she then ask me the ff. questions (which I answer to the best of my knowledge with all honesty).
Pre Screener: Annie
Who is my petitioner? XXX Scott XXX
Where was he born? Talladega, Al
When & how did you two met? We met in Sg on Feb 2009 at a mall (foodcourt) while he was on a business trip and while I was on my usual day off (Sunday) as I am working as a DFW.
You work for how long in Sg? 9 years.
Other countries you visited? Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei & Malaysia.
How long you stayed in those countries? Couple of days with my employer when they go for a family holidays.
Did they give you a police clearance? No ma`am, as they don’t issue any COC/PC for those non citizens of Sg since October 2010. (I then told her, i have an email print out of the inquiry my fiancé made at Sg police dept. stating the non issuance of COC`s). She then said no, you can keep that.
When was the last time I saw him? How long? Feb.2011, Two weeks.
How many times you have been together? SG 2009 Feb/April /June/Aug on Sundays only. Sept/Oct/Dec - 2 weeks. June 2010 - 2 weeks
Cebu , Phils. Oct 2010 - 2 weeks. Feb 2011 - 2 weeks.
He has children? How old? Yes, 2. Boy 23 & Girl 20
Is his children living with him? His son lives with him partly last year as he was a working student, but this year no more as he is working full time.
You have photos with the petitioner? Yes ma’am, giving her 3 full albums.
Well, you can show that to the CO later. Will do ma’am.
She then said I won\\\'t interview your daughter but the CO will. You can take a seat and wait for your number to be called at other window. She then smile at me and I said my goodbye and thank you.
Our number then flash at window 40, finger scanning. The American then ask my name /dob. She told me to do my first 4 left fingers, then 4 right fingers, and both thumbs. She ask my daughter name /dob and said she is exempted from finger scanning. We then wait again for our number to be called (Non ending waiting and my daughter was already so grumpy.. she said she is tired and hungry sighsssssss).
Our number flash again (finally) at window 56, the final interview where an American CO will be conducting it. We stand in front of the CO and I said Good morning with a smile. She then said, well I will be right back with you in a moment (she turn around and took some gulp from her coffee). She then turn to face us and said to us:
CO: Annie/XXXXX
GOOD morning, how are you feeling today? I’m feeling great that I’m finally here, but I\\\'m very nervous (still smiling).
Such a sad face? (To my daughter) she is tired and hungry ma’am.
Your name is? Annie XXXX / XXXXX XXXXX
Please raise up your right hand (she then recite for us the sworn statement). We said yes!!
Who is your petitioner? XXXX Scott XXXX
What does he do for a living? He works as a manager under XX Vision but has been transferred to 3rd shift Logistic team leader as of late last year.
You got another child? No ma’am, only one.
Have your daughter met your fiancé? Yes ma’am, 3x as of last year.
Has he ever been married? He is a divorcee w/2 kids ma’am.
How old are they? Living w/ him? 20/23. No ma’am
She laughed & said they are no longer kids but grown ups! Smile back to her and said they still are kids to him.
To my daughter: How old are you? > 11y/o (still grumpy)
Where do you intend to stay in the US? DXXXXX, Georgia ma’am
Any wedding plans? Plan to have a civil one first to legalize everything, then will take it from there.
To my daughter: Are you excited to see your step Daddy? > yes (still unhappy). I step into the conversation and told the CO that my fiancé and I plan not to put an attachment in addressing him or his kids. We want to raise our FAMILY as ONE. There will be Daddy, brother, sister, Mommy (Not Stepdaddy, stepbrother & etc.). The CO then looked at me intently and said with a SMILE, That’s a great PHILOSOPHY!!!
Do you have any photos w/ your fiancé? Yes ma’am. I then show her 3 full albums (from 2009-2010, taken before we filed the petition).
Lots of photos...wow! Show me one shot where 3 of you are together. I show her the one we have @ Enchanted Kingdom and she said...Perfect!
She then said let me write up some details and I will be with you in a moment (she was typing fast on her keyboard then finally get back to us).
Tomy daughter: You excited to go to the US? > (With a full smile said) YUP!!
Oh that’s a nice one!! Well.....
CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU ARE APPROVED!! I SAID THANK YOU!! (about to cry).
She then said, Have a nice life in the USA. Congratulations!! Wait for further instructions at window 72/73. Have a good day. I said my thank you again and GOD BLESS! (while walking towards the seat, I’m so overjoyed that I feel like jumping, silly me huh!!!).
We then took our seats near window 72/73 and the lady then called my name and give me further instructions. She give me back my appointment letter, ask me did I sign up a pink slip, I said no. Am I staying at the same address and contact numbers? I said Yes. She then said, YOU can wait for your VISA at the address you stated on your DS forms. That will be it for today and you can take the EXIT door..I said my thank you to her and head out for the door.
Can’t wait to be back at the hotel, so I can inform my fiancé and my Mom who is eagerly waiting for my good news about the APPROVAL! YEN and I walked out of the US Embassy with such happiness in our hearts for the Favor HE have showered on us. Thank you JESUS for your faithfulness to those who calls out YOUR name!! God bless Everyone *_*
PS. On my case, I was asked by the PRE SCREENER and the CO lots of questions (which I think is their way of finding out how well do I know my fiancé) but they only ask for a photo as my evidence of genuine relationship. I take with me from CEBU to US Embassy, a good 6kg of supporting docs i.e.: photos, phone logs, emails, cards, additional financial support documents, etc. They never asked for these :-)
(updated on March 19, 2012)
(updated on March 19, 2012) |
| Rating : |
Good |
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ver 5.0