Consulate Review: Manila, Philippines
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
August 28, 2012 |
| Embassy Review : |
I should say, that this journey has proven us how good we are when it comes to waiting game. LOL Yup we got our visa approved today! So excited. Our interview process wouldn't run that smoothly if not without VJ. Thank you guys so much for all the help and information you've shared. Its greatly appreciated 
I also want to share what took place at the embassy today so at least you'll have a visual of what it'll be like on the day of your interview. Hope it helps.
So my appointment is Aug 28th at 7:30am. I arrived at the embassy together with my friend on VJ, Jhed (kikyara) around 4:30am. Aware that its the first working day of the week, we chose to get in there early rather than be stuck with traffic and arrive in stressed.LOL As expected, lots of people are already lining up for the 6:30am schedule. So we lined up and patiently waited until 6:45am and the guard instructed us that we can now enter at the embassy grounds.
First Step ( DS FORMS )
> Prepare your DS forms. 2 copies of DS 156 and DS 157 and 1 copy of DS 156K.
> Include your interview appointment letter just 1 copy.
Surrender your passport.
> The staff will just organize the forms that you gave, put a sticker at the back of your passport and give you a clean zip lock.
> You will be instructed to put your passport inside the zip clock with bio page open.
Second Step ( SECURITY CHECK )
> Once done organizing your DS stuff, you can proceed to the x-ray machine and they have to scan your bags and folders, everything you have with you including yourself.lol
> Cellphones, electronic devices, flash drives, chargers, cameras, mp3s, video cam, anything that could could store any information into is a no no. I mean one day of sacrifice without looking who texted or called you wouldn't hurt right? Otherwise, you need to find a way how to get rid of it.
> Food and Drinks are not allowed. Candies are ok.
Step Three ( RELEASING OF NUMBERS )
> Their number system is random. It doesn't mean that if you were the first one on the line outside the gate, you're the first one to finish.
> So after security check, you have to fall another line where you need to drop your DS Forms to one of the booths and you will be given your number.
> I got 6092. Keep the number cuz this will be your reference from beginning til end.
> They will give the DS Forms back to you and your passport. They give out fast instructions so stay focused and listen actively.
Step Four ( ANOTHER SECURITY CHECK )
> I know, they're scared of bombs.hehe
> Just got to turn left from the booth where you came from, walk a little and you will see another entrance at the far left and there are staff giving out instructions so just be quick.
> All you need to do is just go thru another security check machine.
> One staff is awaiting ready to receive your DS Forms and will drop it to your Lucky Consul.
> You'll be instructed to seat and wait for your number to flash on the screen with designated window.
Step Five ( STARING GAME )
> So after long hours of standing outside, we finally able to take a seat around 7:00am.
> We've been staring at the big red screen almost the entire time cuz we don't want to miss our number.LOL Its random, so you'll never know what number is next. Just got to be attentive.
> By 8:20am, my number 6092 Flashed. Yay! @ Window 43.
Step Six ( BIOMETRICS )
> I got to speak to a Chinese looking lady, with chinese accent but speaks good english, I guess she's the same person were talking about here on VJ.LOL
> She asked me my Name and Date of Birth.
> Scanned my left four fingers and my right four fingers and finally my left and right thumbs. If one of your fingers are missing, don't worry, there's an assistant at your left ready to help.hehe
> Now I'm instructed to go back to seat and wait for my number to be flashed on the screen. ( I would say that's one of their best closing spiel. hehe )
***So I went back to sit and here comes the Long wait, nice Staring Game Huh.LOL
Step Seven ( INTERVIEW WITH A FILIPINO OFFICER )
> By 9:30am, my number flashed again and showed Window 56.
> I faced a Filipina officer, chubby, in her 40's, looks a little serious and polite at the same time. But she grilled me a bit. haha I got off her grip nice and smooth tho. Just got to answer the questions straight to the point.
> So here are her questions:
1. What's my name and date of birth.
2. What's my fiance's name and his work.
3. How did we meet?
4. How many times he visited. When was his first time and his latest.
5. Have I traveled abroad? Now that took me a long time to close this case cuz I don't have any police clearance with me. So I told her that, not exactly traveled, but worked instead. I told her how long and had to explain why our ship can't stay within the country premises and had to go to International Waters before we start the operation. She had me explain why International Waters and Stuff. Basically its a muslim country and the ship I was working before is a Casino Ship and they don't allow the operation until the ship reaches the International Waters. So it took her a long time and had to ask her coworker about the case and concluded that mine doesn't need Police Clearance at all. HA! She didn't do her homework I thought.hahaha
6. She also asked me to give her my fiance's I-134, ITR, W2, CENOMAR, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, NBI, BPI RECEIPT. She only took the 2011 ITR but better have the last three years of it and I also prepared My Fiance's employment letter and New Letter of Intent but she didn't ask for it. Better have something extra than nothing at all. And also she asked me to show her some of our PICTURES, EMAILS/CHATS/CARDS. She just "browsed" on it a couple times and gave it back to me.
> And told me to wait for my number to flash on the screen.
Step Eight ( INTERVIEW WITH CHINESE AMERICAN CONSUL )
> I waited and waited and waited and some of my friends have been called to speak to the consul and got approved and my number hasn't flashed yet. Seriously, I started shaking. Shaking becuz its cold and I'm hungry and nervous at the same time.LOL
> By 11:45am my number flashed! woohoo Finally @ Window 63.
> I think this guy is already familiar on VJ. He speaks good english BUT he doesn't need translator.LOL He can say the oath in Tagalag. I think he gets a nice pay with that kind of skill.LOL
> After answering Yes on their famous oath, He asked me these questions.
1. What's my name and my birthday.
2. What's my fiance's name.
3. So have you met between Feb 2011 and Feb 2012? And I thought, ya we did, so I said, yes.lol
4. And you also traveled abroad? And I explained again, hoping it wouldn't be as tough as to the previous officer. And yup he didn't give me hard time.
5. So you are aware the you need to marry within 90 days?
6. When you do plan to marry?
And then he said everything looks good. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WAIT FOR YOU NUMBER TO FLASH ON THE SCREEN. And I said Thank you.
I left the window with a confused face.haha I don't know if it was approved or do I need to pass another set of evidence, I don't know. I was a little worried. Some people are rejoicing cuz they heard the consul say, welcome to the US, you are approved. And I went back to my seat and told myself, let's see what happens next then. I don't want to stress myself anymore.haha
So I waited hoping to speak to the releasing office before lunch time but it looks like they've closed the windows, so we were told to eat lunch and go back at 1pm. My friends were done but they're nice enough to wait for me
I went back at 1PM, waited a little bit and then saw my number flashed, Window 72. He was a Filipino guy. Rude. I don't like his customer service skills but oh wells. He said "so you're approved, do you want home delivery or pick up?" I asked how long will it take for a home delivery? and he was making face "no timeframe, wait for 2go's text" and turned his back at me. It got my blood back to boiling cuz I asked him nicely but oh wells, they're the people "in-charge" so I left the building and hoping I could get in two weeks time.
What I know is that the Visa is going to be mailed and I am approved.LOL
There might be some errors we have a long the way, but were thankful that we have VJ and friends to ask help from. Thanks again guys! My fiance and I will be together very soon =)
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| Rating : |
Good |
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ver 5.0