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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on August 18, 2013: |
haggarda.versoza
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I scheduled my interview appointment originally August 26th, but decided to change it to August 12th 07:30 AM (you can only change twice if more contact USEM Call center service).
06:00 a.m.
Arrived in USEM (US Embassy of Manila) and since it's Monday, there's already a long line, I think I was 15th to 20th in line.
06:20 a.m.
They started to gather us in front of the USEM, then the greeter or pre-screener (whatever you may call them) asked us to bring out passport, DS-156, DS 156K, and DS-157 and make sure to fill-out ALL Blanks with NONE or N/A. Not following instructions will result into re-scheduling of appointment! That was terror!!
When we finally get to the line to hand those documents to the pre-screeners, it turned out I became 9th to 12th in line as a lot of K1 applicants in the front made mistakes in filling out forms. I guess they were not reading guidelines from support websites like VJ forums :-D
The lady pre-screener then put my passport in a zip lock, looked into my forms all were good and handed me a tiny form with list of documents to submit to the first CO, mine was a middle-aged busy Filipina.
06:30 a.m.
I then entered the premises of the USEM, scanned our bags and look if there are any electronic gadgets. No cellphones, USB, MP3, or any battery operated device allowed. They will literally put it in a trash can! I just don't know what they do with cellphones though. LOL.
06:40 a.m.
I then freely walk in the first booth which will give your lucky number. Mine was 6081. Then walked ahead until an usher assisted me to be seated in the waiting area facing the Big Board with Numbers to call. Together with other applicants, we then double checked our forms making sure that every BLANKS are filled out NONE or N/A.
06:50 a.m.
Entered the USEM where another security double check our bags for any compromising gadgets or any other device.
07:00 a.m.
The waiting time. My number was finally called to do Biometrics. It was done by a Caucasian man around 50s. The girl in front of me had a hard time doing biometrics, her fingerprints were missing I guess. It took 8 to 10 minutes for her do it while mine only took a minute or two!
I just paid attention to the fingerprint scan and made sure that lights are lit up a sign that your fingerprints were read by the machine. I guess the first lady didn't realize nor noticed that.
Waiting..
08:00 a.m.
My number was called again for the first CO, a Filipina of middle-aged, she looked busy. She ask for my passport, NSO Birth Certificate, NSO CENOMAR, NBI Clearance, Form I-134 with W-2 and Form 1040. In the paper, Proof of relationship needs to be submitted as well, but she didn't ask for it.
Here were the questions asked (in Tagalog):
How did you meet and where did you first meet in person?
When did you meet?
Are you both single?
I was surprised that she only asked few questions! She seemed very busy like every Filipino government employee look like. I guess she was very busy assessing my case and the documents. After that, she told me to be seated and wait for my number to be called.
09:00 a.m.
Waiting. Getting hungry
09:30 a.m.
Ate some. There's a food stall outside. Food was GOOD.
Waiting... Was freakingly nervous while waiting for my number to be called. Frequent urination, the feeling of having to poop, and everything!
10:45 a.m.
Finally my number was called. My gosh more than 2 hours of waiting!! The interviewer was a pleasant American Lady. She likes smiling as opposed to the Filipina CO, and greeted me "Hi."
"Good morning!" I said. She then asked me to raise my right hand and swear to tell everything the truth.
She asked my permission to wait until she finish arranging my documents that lasted for only about a minute. Afterwards, she started asking questions.
1) What's his name and what's his work?
2) How did you meet and where did you first meet in person?
- When I answered this question, I heard some people laugh from the inside, I guess they can hear everything. Because the website where we met kinda sounds hilarious. LOL.
3) Could you describe how you two met in person?
- I guess I describe it perfectly.
4) How many times have you met?
5) Who's with you when you first met him?
- When I said I was with my friends, she joked, "Ah I know what you mean, it's for security right?" Then she smiled. HEHE
6) How old are you?
7) How old is he?
- She smile and said "Oh you two are perfect."
8) Can I see some of your photos?
- She looked at it very carefully.
By the way, after every answer, she kept typing from her computer. Later afterwards, "Your Visa is Approved. You may be seated and wait for your name to be called"
I thanked her and REJOICED Thank GOD! That week of Friday, I was able to pick up my Visa in 2GO SM Mall of Asia.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #12577