Manila Embassy Interview

[JoseandHelen 3]

Does any BPI Branch will do? or just the branches listed in the packet

Sheila

Only the branchs listed in the packet, if you need one in your area please feel free to pm me.

Jose

[R&W 5]

He already paid the 1500 pesos...so kind a too late. My question now is..does the form he got from the bank that has serial # is correct or should he still use the form that came in the packet?

Is the DS157 form used by the bank the same as in the packet? If yes, then it's okay to just fill it out. And use one DS157 that came in the packet.

You will need:

Staple 1:

1 DS156

1 DS157 w/bank stamp

Staple 2:

1 DS156

1 DS157

Alone - 1 DS156K

Honestly Caileen, I really doubt the 1500peso payment. I hope that won't happen again.

Wendy

[larry2375 0]

wife just called from the embassy interview and were approved! i cant believe our journey is over. one of the first things i asked her was if she saw the green sticker, and she said yes. almost one year till our anniversary and wev'e had so many setbacks along the way. im so glad that it's over. i took the day off today and attended mass and i just prayed and prayed. thank you dear lord for hearing our prayers. thank you all for helping us along the way. mahalo nui loa everyone!

larry

[soulseeker 0]

wife just called from the embassy interview and were approved! i cant believe our journey is over. one of the first things i asked her was if she saw the green sticker, and she said yes. almost one year till our anniversary and wev'e had so many setbacks along the way. im so glad that it's over. i took the day off today and attended mass and i just prayed and prayed. thank you dear lord for hearing our prayers. thank you all for helping us along the way. mahalo nui loa everyone!

larry

CONGRATULATIONS Larry!!! Woooooooooooo Hoooooooooo God is Good and Faithful to those who Love Him!!

Now another chapter starts....but the great thing is, you guys will be together for the rest of the journey.

Continue Being Blessed!

[djcess 0]

Hey, I need help. I'll be doing the CFO thing soon and I was wondering what was the easiest way to get to SMEF-COW place....I'm not very familiar with the Aurora Blvd area. I was looking at the Location Map they have online butttttttttttttttt....hmmm...lolol....obviously cant imagine any of the landmarks.

I'll be commin from Makati, Edsa...If I were commuting should I take the MRT? Bus? where do I get off? Would it be advisable if I just brought a car? Does anyone know if there is a safe parking space inside the compound?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

Hi! I'll be attending the CFO soon too and I was wondering, how many handwritten letters do you have from your fiance and visa versa? Our agency told us that we should have at least 60 letters... 30 from me and 30 from my fiance? how true is that? This is the only thing that's causing the delay since writing that much letters takes a lot of time. (we email n call, n chat so we dont really write letters but are forced, hehe)

[classic 0]

BANG! K3/K4 approved!

[swellington 0]

My fiance went to her CFO without any of that kind of info only birthcert, baptismal, passport.... no personal relationship type paperwork and she recieved her CFO certificate no problem. They did ask her alot of questions she said it was harder than the actual interview at the embassy.

[soulseeker 0]

Hey, I need help. I'll be doing the CFO thing soon and I was wondering what was the easiest way to get to SMEF-COW place....I'm not very familiar with the Aurora Blvd area. I was looking at the Location Map they have online butttttttttttttttt....hmmm...lolol....obviously cant imagine any of the landmarks.

I'll be commin from Makati, Edsa...If I were commuting should I take the MRT? Bus? where do I get off? Would it be advisable if I just brought a car? Does anyone know if there is a safe parking space inside the compound?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

Hi! I'll be attending the CFO soon too and I was wondering, how many handwritten letters do you have from your fiance and visa versa? Our agency told us that we should have at least 60 letters... 30 from me and 30 from my fiance? how true is that? This is the only thing that's causing the delay since writing that much letters takes a lot of time. (we email n call, n chat so we dont really write letters but are forced, hehe)

Hmmmmmm... reading your profile signature, it appears that you haven't had your interview yet....

Here's the thing, hand written leters or any other proof of continous relationship was not asked from anyone of us who attended the CFO seminar last wed, March 22. Actually, the counsellor assigned to us was pretty laid back and individual counselling with her was such a breeze. Oh, if you or your fiance had a previous marraige, then it would be a very good idea to bring the divorce or annulment papers. I remember some people in my batch being asked to show those papers as well as whether they knew the reason for the divorce...uhm...also asked were: how many times was the person divorced...who initiated the divorce, your fiance or their Ex....

The fiance attending the CFO must know the USC's complete address, land line and cell #. Also, she will need to give the USC's Mother's maiden name. Other standard requirements, you can read about at the CFO website.

With regards to the "60 or so letters" hehe... i dunno where your agency got that number...but that would come in handy for the interview at the US Embassy. If You are not yet done with that, then gather as much docs as possible to prove a continueing relationsip. It includes but is not limited to handwrritten letters. Emails, chats, pictures of chat logs from yahoo or msn (or any server you guys use), and engagement ring reciept if you have one, pics...well you know the drill.

In my case, though i did have all of them and more..hehehe...yeep i was a bit overkill...the Embassy people didnt even ask for any of those. But i've read of some couples that were asked to supply these evidences. So just have it on hand just in case they do ask.

Hope this helps

BANG! K3/K4 approved!

CONGRATULATIONS classic!!!

[purpledonkey 0]

Congrats larry!!!

I called embassy and was told that My fiance was finished getting checked out by whatever embassy ncic thinger mabober.....anyhow the nice lady told me that they are just waiting for the Philippine gov. to verify she is not married and then if she isn't (lol) that the visa will be in the mail. So I'm irritated for whatever status i am in, but gratful that they acctually did something so far.

Anyhow good luck to everyone ... take care.

[rommelandrea 0]

Congratulations

[Jasman0717 8]

[scott300hp 0]

My wifes K-3 interview in Manila is one month away (4/27) and I'm just stressed about making sure I have everything necessary. I'm going to list here everything I have prepared for the actual interview. If you see anything I've left out or ANYTHING...I'm open to suggestions.

1. 2 notarized Affidavits of Support (with supporting documents)

-Employer letter, letter from officer of bank, etc..

2. 5 original recent paycheck stubs (Showing over 125% poverty level)

3. Original Roth IRA investment statement

4. Over 200 photos (wedding and other trips to the Phil.)

5. 3 most recent cell phone bills ($500+)

6. Evidence showing my 3 previous trips to the Phil. in 2005

-including iteneraries, boarding passes, hotel confirmations, dining receipts, etc...

7. Evidence to show my family (Mother, father, brother) came to the Phil. to attend the wedding and will

be coming again now during the interview (copies of their tickets/iteneraries).

8. Statement from bank verifying wire transfers to help suport my wife

9. I have my original W-2's and Turbo-Tax print outs of all my taxes for the past 3 years. Now, these

are just print outs but of course include the 1040's. They are not "certified copies" of my tax returns but

I do have the original W-2's to back it all up. Is this okay?

10. Original NOA letters and NVC letter / appointment letter

11. NSO Birth Cert's and NSO Marriage Certs. (with originals)

12. 2x2 photos's (plenty)

13. Notarized co-sponsor Affidavit of Support (if needed) with 3 recent year taxes w/original pension letters

and original title of house.

14. Passports valid for at least 5yrs. out

And finally, I will be there to "go over" possible questions prior to and attend the interview with my wife.

Whew! I think that's it. I just want to make sure that we are 110% ready. I hope this may have helped others who are in the same situation and trying to prepare.

Is there any other information I should know or anything else to help me prepare? Thanks for all the information.

[Danoco 0]

My wifes K-3 interview in Manila is one month away (4/27) and I'm just stressed about making sure I have everything necessary. I'm going to list here everything I have prepared for the actual interview. If you see anything I've left out or ANYTHING...I'm open to suggestions.

1. 2 notarized Affidavits of Support (with supporting documents)

-Employer letter, letter from officer of bank, etc..

2. 5 original recent paycheck stubs (Showing over 125% poverty level)

3. Original Roth IRA investment statement

4. Over 200 photos (wedding and other trips to the Phil.)

5. 3 most recent cell phone bills ($500+)

6. Evidence showing my 3 previous trips to the Phil. in 2005

-including iteneraries, boarding passes, hotel confirmations, dining receipts, etc...

7. Evidence to show my family (Mother, father, brother) came to the Phil. to attend the wedding and will

be coming again now during the interview (copies of their tickets/iteneraries).

8. Statement from bank verifying wire transfers to help suport my wife

9. I have my original W-2's and Turbo-Tax print outs of all my taxes for the past 3 years. Now, these

are just print outs but of course include the 1040's. They are not "certified copies" of my tax returns but

I do have the original W-2's to back it all up. Is this okay?

10. Original NOA letters and NVC letter / appointment letter

11. NSO Birth Cert's and NSO Marriage Certs. (with originals)

12. 2x2 photos's (plenty)

13. Notarized co-sponsor Affidavit of Support (if needed) with 3 recent year taxes w/original pension letters

and original title of house.

14. Passports valid for at least 5yrs. out

And finally, I will be there to "go over" possible questions prior to and attend the interview with my wife.

Whew! I think that's it. I just want to make sure that we are 110% ready. I hope this may have helped others who are in the same situation and trying to prepare.

Is there any other information I should know or anything else to help me prepare? Thanks for all the information.

wow and i thought i was overprepared you make me look bad lol

[Alcurin 0]

I just attended my wife's IR-1 and my stepson's IR-2 interview in Manila.

From the list:

1. Embassy had the I-864 from last year. It was still good.

2. Not required.

3. Not required (I participate in the TSP retirement program as a federal employee).

4. Two photos of wedding surrendered and were sufficient.

5. No phone statements required. We did submit e-mail and letters/cards.

6. Not required (but evident by the stamps in my passport).

7. Not required.

8. Not required (my wife uses an ATM card).

9. Not required. Embassy had our 2002, 2003, and 2004 returns in the file.

(Note: 2005 return may be required for interviews after 15 April 2006).

10. Appointment letter is only required to get into embassy.

11. Embassy only asked for NSO copy of my stepson's birth certificate.

12. Only two passport photos of each person required, but extras do not hurt.

13. Not applicable to me, but probably required if you use a co-sponsor.

14. Passports do not have to be new.

Overkill. You are going to stress everybody out needlessly.

I have nothing against preparation. You will find that the vice consul will look favorably upon the fiance/husband attanding the interview and that will remove a lot of the questions that might be asked. If you sent all the required documents to the BCIS and NVC, they will be in the file.

Just be ready to recall important dates/names/places accurately from memory.

[scott300hp 0]

I just attended my wife's IR-1 and my stepson's IR-2 interview in Manila.

From the list:

1. Embassy had the I-864 from last year. It was still good.

2. Not required.

3. Not required (I participate in the TSP retirement program as a federal employee).

4. Two photos of wedding surrendered and were sufficient.

5. No phone statements required. We did submit e-mail and letters/cards.

6. Not required (but evident by the stamps in my passport).

7. Not required.

8. Not required (my wife uses an ATM card).

9. Not required. Embassy had our 2002, 2003, and 2004 returns in the file.

(Note: 2005 return may be required for interviews after 15 April 2006).

10. Appointment letter is only required to get into embassy.

11. Embassy only asked for NSO copy of my stepson's birth certificate.

12. Only two passport photos of each person required, but extras do not hurt.

13. Not applicable to me, but probably required if you use a co-sponsor.

14. Passports do not have to be new.

Overkill. You are going to stress everybody out needlessly.

I have nothing against preparation. You will find that the vice consul will look favorably upon the fiance/husband attanding the interview and that will remove a lot of the questions that might be asked. If you sent all the required documents to the BCIS and NVC, they will be in the file.

Just be ready to recall important dates/names/places accurately from memory.

I realize that most of these things will not be needed but why risk not bringing them? I don't know what will be asked for considering every interview is different. And since this is one of the most important days of our lives, why take a chance? Maybe a bit overkill, but perhaps appropriate. Thanks for the feedback....as always, very apprecitated. BTW, what do you mean by important dates, names, places to recall?

What kinds of questions were you asked? Thanks ~ Scott