Our SLEC, Embassy, hotel experience, info and pics

[Calasiao_Ben 1]

So, we hopped on the Five Star bus in Dagupan City, (I prefer Five Star for the air con and free Wi-Fi)

And headed off to Manila on May 9th. Fare is p371 each.

Traffic was light due to the election, and we made it in less than 4 hrs.

We had chosen Casa Bocobo for our hotel due to the proximity to SLEC and the US Embassy and what a great choice it was. SLEC was a mere 3 min walk from the hotel.

My fiances medical was the following day which was the 10th. So that first night we just relaxed, walked around the immediate area, had a casual meal, then spent the remainder of the evening watching movies in the hotel room.

The next morning we woke up at 4 a.m. with a plan to be "early" @ SLEC at 5. When we arrived, we were surprised to discover that there was approximately already 100 ppl lined up before us.

Fortunately the line moved quick, and painless.

I was turned away at the door so i returned to Casa Bocobo to take advantage of the free breakfast, which btw, was surprisingly good.

Afterwards I strolled around the area a bit more, not really knowing what time to return to SLEC. Even though the hotel is close, she wanted kasama with her back to it, so, at 10 a.m.,i returned to await her.

It was of course super maiinit, and shade was limited. I took a seat on some stairs across the street, but was promptly yelled at to stand up, as "sitting is prohibited" hehe.

Just then I was approached by a guy renting chairs. 15 pesos.. I declined but in hindsight, I should of taken the deal hehe.

Hours trickled by, and finally at 1:30 pm, my fiance emerged finished with day one. Needless to say, I was elated to see her after standing in the hot sun for soo long.

We returned to the hotel to discuss the process, and relax in the aircon.

Later we ventured out for dinner.. Then bought some bottled water and snacks at the pure gold that's located one block away from Casa Bocobo.

She was scheduled to return to SLEC the following day at 8 a.m. for the results and her vaccines... So we watched some HBO and relaxed in the room for the night.

The next morning we returned to SLEC and I dropped her off. We didn't have any sense of how long it would be and after the first day of waiting outside for her, I played it smart and went back to the hotel, where I accidentally fell asleep..

I awoke to her knocking on the door.

She was all smiles because her X-ray was clear and she had her injections, and was cleared to proceed with the interview which we had scheduled for the following morning at 6:45.

We got up at 5 a.m. and had the free breakfast, then took a 50 peso cab ride to the Embassy.. Arriving at 6:25. There were about 80 ppl ahead of us.. But again, the line moved quickly and we were inside in a handful of minutes.

Went through security and were seated in some chairs by security. Eventually we were put in line leading to the first window..and the process began.

We went from window to window as directed, submitted requested forms or answering required questions.

All relatively smooth with no complications. Relatively straightforward. Finally we made it to the last phase: the interview.

He asked her only a few questions. Such as:

How did you meet?

Where does he work?

What's his birthday?

Does he have family?

What does he do for fun?

Then he said, " congratulations you're approved "

And that was that.

We were done by 9:30 and took the walk back to Casa Bocobo.

For a treat and to celebrate our victory, I told her to choose any place for lunch.. She wanted "Shakey's Pizza" so we headed there and had a good time.

All in all, I'd say it was a smooth process. I assumed that it was would be daunting, stressful, more difficult. Yet I found it to be easy going. I wasn't stressed, and was pleased with the Embassy's professionalism and friendliness.

The choice of hotel was a perfect fit for our needs. Although the room was relatively simple, it was clean, the staff is amazingly professional and courteous. I'd definitely stay there again.

Here's some pics of our adventure...

Including SLEC, the hotel, and around the general area of the hotel.

[Tahoma 2,291]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad everything went smoothly.

[katcastillo95 8]

Awesome run through! Congrats on the approval!

[bigant006 44]

Thanks for the post really helps.... How long after the approval will you have the Visa in hand

[Hank_ 9,171]

You could have slept in the first day at SLEC, no need to arrive that early.

Glad all went well at the embassy.

[FxL 39]

Thanks for the post really helps.... How long after the approval will you have the Visa in hand

[Hank_ 9,171]

Thanks for the post really helps.... How long after the approval will you have the Visa in hand

Age old question .. with no answers. DEPENDS!

[Calasiao_Ben 1]

Thanks for the post really helps.... How long after the approval will you have the Visa in hand

I was hoping someone out there might benefit, so walang anuman..

They told us 4 business days. But as with the earlier parts of the process, you can track the status of it.

One thing I have taken away from all of this is, worry is a waste of time.

Relax and let it flow..we spent so much time, money, effort on gathering things, compiling it all, assembling it neat and pretty, and low and behold, they didn't ask for ANY of it.

Didn't get affidavit of support, didn't look at the color screenshots we had printed...heck they didn't even look at our picture album my fiance made..

I think if all your paperwork is in order, and you have no red flags, they scrutinize the case less.

Thanks for the congratulations guys..glad that major hurdle is done..

[Greenbaum 12,258]

One thing I have taken away from all of this is, worry is a waste of time.

Relax and let it flow..we spent so much time, money, effort on gathering things, compiling it all, assembling it neat and pretty, and low and behold, they didn't ask for ANY of it.

Hank, I and others have said that for years. I'm glad it worked out as you planned. Safe travels. Edited May 15, 2016 by Greenbaum

[AP&AD 8]

congratulations! when do you guys plan to leave for the US?

[jannapalmer 10]

Wow congrats! I was gonna ask how you organized your photos, but you already said it in your response. It's reassuring to read stories like this, and actually a lot of cases being approved as long as you have everything and followed the correct steps.

Maybe later on you could also post about your experience when she gets to the US and finally starting your life together there

[Calasiao_Ben 1]

Hank, I and others have said that for years. I'm glad it worked out as you planned. Safe travels.

and it's good advice indeed! Thanks a million!

congratulations! when do you guys plan to leave for the US?

beginning of June! Very soon

Wow congrats! I was gonna ask how you organized your photos, but you already said it in your response. It's reassuring to read stories like this, and actually a lot of cases being approved as long as you have everything and followed the correct steps.

Maybe later on you could also post about your experience when she gets to the US and finally starting your life together there

My fiance got a photo album and filled it FULL of pics of us. We have lots of pics together since we've spent a total of 10 months living together in Calasiao. She captioned each pic, and decorated each page with hearts and flower stickers.

She was kinda miffed that they didn't even look, hehe " my efforts were sayang" she said haha

But yes. Breath deeply..as long as you've dotted the I's and crossed all the T's, and have solid proof of a bona fide relationship, you're golden.

My k1 packet (which they had in front of them) was compiled very thoroughly.. I included many pics and captioned them..maybe that was enough for them..not sure

But when you're there just relax, give off a friendly vibe and smile lots hehe

Edited May 15, 2016 by Calasiao_Ben

[russandraquel 86]

Congratulations! I won't be able to attend her interview because I didn't have enough vacation to both visit her family later this year and attend. I suspect she will have built a lot of confidence by getting her CFO certificate and medical complete - hopefully she will be glowing - as I think her friends are probably sick of hearing about me. It's also nice to see stories like this that I can share with her. Thanks for sharing! Good luck! Ours is May 23, and I am hopeful to get her here for Memorial day so we have several days together without burning up too much vacation time.

[jannapalmer 10]

Congratulations! I won't be able to attend her interview because I didn't have enough vacation to both visit her family later this year and attend. I suspect she will have built a lot of confidence by getting her CFO certificate and medical complete - hopefully she will be glowing - as I think her friends are probably sick of hearing about me. It's also nice to see stories like this that I can share with her. Thanks for sharing! Good luck! Ours is May 23, and I am hopeful to get her here for Memorial day so we have several days together without burning up too much vacation time.

My interview is also on the 23rd! Good luck!

[Calasiao_Ben 1]

Congratulations! I won't be able to attend her interview because I didn't have enough vacation to both visit her family later this year and attend. I suspect she will have built a lot of confidence by getting her CFO certificate and medical complete - hopefully she will be glowing - as I think her friends are probably sick of hearing about me. It's also nice to see stories like this that I can share with her. Thanks for sharing! Good luck! Ours is May 23, and I am hopeful to get her here for Memorial day so we have several days together without burning up too much vacation time.

awesome! Oh, i noticed your fiance had her medical the same day mine did. I bet they saw each other there. Anyhow, hopefully she does get there in your time frame. I'm sure you are very anxious to see her. Have faith! It's all going to work out

My interview is also on the 23rd! Good luck!

perhaps team up with each other. Helps to have a friend to talk to for sure. We're also members of a Facebook group and we were able to meet up with 2 other members of that group. Made my fiance more calm for sure