My K1 visa interview experience

[Dean_De 61]

I just arrive home after having a successful interview. Tired as I may be, yet I am still full of energy. Maybe it's because today was a great day where I received a very wonderful gift from Heavens, I got approved - Anyways, just rejoicing but here's my review to give ideas for the rest of the VJ's who is yet to undergo their consular interview.

My schedule is October 11, 2011 @ 6:45am. I am from the Leyte and stayed a week here @ Bagong Silang, Caloocan. Not that close at the embassy so what me and my aunt did was we woke up around 2am. Did the regular stuff to prep myself for the interview. Left the house at around 3:30am and arrived at the embassy at around 4:30 (or close to that time). There were already applicants lined up close the Baywalk, which is where the applicant have to wait till they are called in by the guards. I met Tonnette, another K1 applicant like me, we stayed at the side where the rest of the applicants stayed which had 6:45 schedules. The first batch were called to fall in line at the embassy around 6 and after them we were told to fall inline next. We were told to fall in line outside the US embassy already around 6:30. This are the steps that happened after then:

1. Fall in line at the left tent which was under Immigrant/K1/K3. There will be somebody there that will ask for your passport, DS156(2), DS157(2), DS156K (1), and appointment letter. The person will arrange the forms accordingly and will look at the sticker infront of him. The sticker hasthe applicants name and passport number ( if I am not mistaken). He will stick it at the back of the passport then after doing so he will place the passport inside a ziplock bag and will tell you to enter door number 2.

2. Upon entering door number two, you will have to place your things at the scanning machine and us ( applicant will passby the other way where it does metal scanning 9 hmm, I forgot the name of it but surely you will know ). Oh btw, please don't bring electornic device, no perfumes, no candies or food nside. they wont allow you to enter. They also do not have any section where you can leave those things.

3. Ticketing area - you will follow the line and hand the passport and DS forms to the pre-screener. she will return only the passport and give you a queue number.

4. Waiting area - It took me about 1 and 1/2 hours to wait until my number flashed.

5. Door #2 - It's time for us to enter the main consulate building. Applicants will go through inspection again. Applicants were told to open their bags and place it at the desk where the guards inspect whats inside and leave it there while we passby the section where there is a body/metal scanner plus a guard to check if you have brought unauthorized things with you. After you pass the inspection, get your bag.

6. Waiting area - there are chairs inside the premises. Apllicant will stay there while waiting for their number to flash.

7. Biometric - It took me again about 1 hour before my biometrics were done. What do do: Say your FULL NAME and DATE OF BIRTH. Then place the first 4 (four) fingers on the green light ( left first followed by the right) then after that the thumbs. after biometric is done, wait again

8. Filipino pre-screener: after another 1 hour of waiting to death ( kidding) I was called at window 57 where a male Filipino pre-screener asked for my passport and other documents. I.E ORIGINAL ( birth certificate, divorce decree, annotated marriage contract (CENOMAR -if single), Annulment decree, NBI clearance, I-134, 2010 ITR, 2010 W2, pictures of me and my fiance)

*** the guy read my annulment papers. Asked me the following:

- Who was my petitioner

- How did we met

- When did we met

- When did he last visited me.

- How many previous marriage he had

- When did he got separated and divorced?

- Was I married before?

- When did I got annulled?

- How many children I got?

- Their names and age?

- Will they go to the US?

- Why did they not schedule their interview together with me?

After that, he looked at the pictures and hand it back to me and told me to hand it to the consul later. ----Then told me to go back at my seat my wait till I die - hahahhaha - Kidding!

9. Consul - After close to an hour of waiting, YEAH my number flashed and I was called at window 58 ( actually its not just a window but a room ) The place feels more private and I was able to sit comfortably - Greeted the consul. She was a young lady, so friendly, thanks God. She smiled at me and greeted me Good morning which I returned the courtesy likewise. Infront of her was the I-129f and other documents which the first Pinoy pre-screener took from me. She asked me the following quesitons and typing same time at the computer, not sure if she was jotting down my replies Here are the questions she asked me:

- Name of the petitioner

- How did I met him ( well ofcourse thorugh the yes - DUH..hahhaha - no I didn't say that)

- When did we first met? ( I told him 2003, and she said WOW! - with again a nice smile which makes me atleast ease the tension )

- Were we dating that time? ( I told her no, we were best friends since 2003 until 2007)

- How did you both became serious? ( At 2007 there was about a year of no communication, we were both busy career wise - until I finally received an email from him asking me if we can talk..then the romace begun - she smiled..a smile which makes me feel like she liked what she heard )

- Was the petitioner married before?

- Do I know his x-wife?

- Is she from the US?

- How many marriages did the petitioner have had?

- Was I married before too?

- Does he have kids?

- Do I know that should marry him within 90 days?

***Then the magic word came out...she congratulated me and told me I was APPROVED. I was almost emotional and did thanked her. She smiled at me and told me to wait at window 72 for my visa delivery instruction.

10. Waiting area at the close window 72. I waited for like 30 minutes till my number flashed but oh no, it wasn't window 72 but window 68 But it's ok. I went at window 68. Greeted the guy there and he greeted me back. He asked my full name and told me I was approved and just to wait for my visa to be delivered. He said no exact time - He kept the passport but handed me the appointment letter This is because St. Lukes already got me a copy of that and it was the ones they kept on the record.

Thats was the end of the grueling yet successful visa interview I have at USEM. We left the embassy at exactly 11:45. HAPPY!

FYI: To other applicants:

- Read the Do's and dont's when going to the interview. There were applicants who brought electronic gadgets, like cellphone and laptop..they were not allowed to enter and there's no section there to leave the things. If you have nobody whom you can leave your things, better not bring them at all.

- Just relax, I know its typical to be nervous, but always stay positive and keep in mind they are just asking applicants question which we sure know

- Like what my fiance told me don't forget to be courteous and Smile

- I noticed there were applicants who wear slippers and sleeveless outfit which for me doesn't really suit well even for a job interview. Not saying this may help or not, but I think we should atleast dress appropriately. This is a way of showing respect to the person interviewing us. Just my opinion.

- Don't forget to glue the pictures and sign the ds form.

- Be attentive. Some applicants were called many times

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Wow..thank you for share the experience..Congrats for visa approval..

[BobGee 5]

- Don't forget to glue the pictures and sign the ds form.

First of all, my congratulations to you! Thanks for sharing this long hours of experience during your interview of yours , its worthwhile though. I have a question, which DS FORMS that needs to sign?

[Dean_De 61]

Wow..thank you for share the experience..Congrats for visa approval..

Thanks Girl - Goodluck to our visa journey likewise.

First of all, my congratulations to you! Thanks for sharing this long hours of experience during your interview of yours , its worthwhile though. I have a question, which DS FORMS that needs to sign?

Thank you so much girl. It was the DS156 ( if I remember it right ) the ones wih 3 pages and where we glue our visa picture.

[BobGee 5]

Thanks Girl - Goodluck to our visa journey likewise.

Thank you so much girl. It was the DS156 ( if I remember it right ) the ones wih 3 pages and where we glue our visa picture.

Only 1 form which is DS-156 then...thanks girl...

[TeapotGirl 66]

That's was the end of the grueling yet successful visa interview I have at USEM. We left the embassy at exactly 11:45. HAPPY!

You'are really lucky. Some left 3pm on their 6am schedule. Congratulations

[trulyinlove 3]

I just arrive home after having a successful interview. Tired as I may be, yet I am still full of energy. Maybe it's because today was a great day where I received a very wonderful gift from Heavens, I got approved - Anyways, just rejoicing but here's my review to give ideas for the rest of the VJ's who is yet to undergo their consular interview.

My schedule is October 11, 2011 @ 6:45am. I am from the Leyte and stayed a week here @ Bagong Silang, Caloocan. Not that close at the embassy so what me and my aunt did was we woke up around 2am. Did the regular stuff to prep myself for the interview. Left the house at around 3:30am and arrived at the embassy at around 4:30 (or close to that time). There were already applicants lined up close the Baywalk, which is where the applicant have to wait till they are called in by the guards. I met Tonnette, another K1 applicant like me, we stayed at the side where the rest of the applicants stayed which had 6:45 schedules. The first batch were called to fall in line at the embassy around 6 and after them we were told to fall inline next. We were told to fall in line outside the US embassy already around 6:30. This are the steps that happened after then:

1. Fall in line at the left tent which was under Immigrant/K1/K3. There will be somebody there that will ask for your passport, DS156(2), DS157(2), DS156K (1), and appointment letter. The person will arrange the forms accordingly and will look at the sticker infront of him. The sticker hasthe applicants name and passport number ( if I am not mistaken). He will stick it at the back of the passport then after doing so he will place the passport inside a ziplock bag and will tell you to enter door number 2.

2. Upon entering door number two, you will have to place your things at the scanning machine and us ( applicant will passby the other way where it does metal scanning 9 hmm, I forgot the name of it but surely you will know ). Oh btw, please don't bring electornic device, no perfumes, no candies or food nside. they wont allow you to enter. They also do not have any section where you can leave those things.

3. Ticketing area - you will follow the line and hand the passport and DS forms to the pre-screener. she will return only the passport and give you a queue number.

4. Waiting area - It took me about 1 and 1/2 hours to wait until my number flashed.

5. Door #2 - It's time for us to enter the main consulate building. Applicants will go through inspection again. Applicants were told to open their bags and place it at the desk where the guards inspect whats inside and leave it there while we passby the section where there is a body/metal scanner plus a guard to check if you have brought unauthorized things with you. After you pass the inspection, get your bag.

6. Waiting area - there are chairs inside the premises. Apllicant will stay there while waiting for their number to flash.

7. Biometric - It took me again about 1 hour before my biometrics were done. What do do: Say your FULL NAME and DATE OF BIRTH. Then place the first 4 (four) fingers on the green light ( left first followed by the right) then after that the thumbs. after biometric is done, wait again

8. Filipino pre-screener: after another 1 hour of waiting to death ( kidding) I was called at window 57 where a male Filipino pre-screener asked for my passport and other documents. I.E ORIGINAL ( birth certificate, divorce decree, annotated marriage contract (CENOMAR -if single), Annulment decree, NBI clearance, I-134, 2010 ITR, 2010 W2, pictures of me and my fiance)

*** the guy read my annulment papers. Asked me the following:

- Who was my petitioner

- How did we met

- When did we met

- When did he last visited me.

- How many previous marriage he had

- When did he got separated and divorced?

- Was I married before?

- When did I got annulled?

- How many children I got?

- Their names and age?

- Will they go to the US?

- Why did they not schedule their interview together with me?

After that, he looked at the pictures and hand it back to me and told me to hand it to the consul later. ----Then told me to go back at my seat my wait till I die - hahahhaha - Kidding!

9. Consul - After close to an hour of waiting, YEAH my number flashed and I was called at window 58 ( actually its not just a window but a room ) The place feels more private and I was able to sit comfortably - Greeted the consul. She was a young lady, so friendly, thanks God. She smiled at me and greeted me Good morning which I returned the courtesy likewise. Infront of her was the I-129f and other documents which the first Pinoy pre-screener took from me. She asked me the following quesitons and typing same time at the computer, not sure if she was jotting down my replies Here are the questions she asked me:

- Name of the petitioner

- How did I met him ( well ofcourse thorugh the yes - DUH..hahhaha - no I didn't say that)

- When did we first met? ( I told him 2003, and she said WOW! - with again a nice smile which makes me atleast ease the tension )

- Were we dating that time? ( I told her no, we were best friends since 2003 until 2007)

- How did you both became serious? ( At 2007 there was about a year of no communication, we were both busy career wise - until I finally received an email from him asking me if we can talk..then the romace begun - she smiled..a smile which makes me feel like she liked what she heard )

- Was the petitioner married before?

- Do I know his x-wife?

- Is she from the US?

- How many marriages did the petitioner have had?

- Was I married before too?

- Does he have kids?

- Do I know that should marry him within 90 days?

***Then the magic word came out...she congratulated me and told me I was APPROVED. I was almost emotional and did thanked her. She smiled at me and told me to wait at window 72 for my visa delivery instruction.

10. Waiting area at the close window 72. I waited for like 30 minutes till my number flashed but oh no, it wasn't window 72 but window 68 But it's ok. I went at window 68. Greeted the guy there and he greeted me back. He asked my full name and told me I was approved and just to wait for my visa to be delivered. He said no exact time - He kept the passport but handed me the appointment letter This is because St. Lukes already got me a copy of that and it was the ones they kept on the record.

Thats was the end of the grueling yet successful visa interview I have at USEM. We left the embassy at exactly 11:45. HAPPY!

FYI: To other applicants:

- Read the Do's and dont's when going to the interview. There were applicants who brought electronic gadgets, like cellphone and laptop..they were not allowed to enter and there's no section there to leave the things. If you have nobody whom you can leave your things, better not bring them at all.

- Just relax, I know its typical to be nervous, but always stay positive and keep in mind they are just asking applicants question which we sure know

- Like what my fiance told me don't forget to be courteous and Smile

- I noticed there were applicants who wear slippers and sleeveless outfit which for me doesn't really suit well even for a job interview. Not saying this may help or not, but I think we should atleast dress appropriately. This is a way of showing respect to the person interviewing us. Just my opinion.

- Don't forget to glue the pictures and sign the ds form.

- Be attentive. Some applicants were called many times

[Dean_De 61]

You'are really lucky. Some left 3pm on their 6am schedule. Congratulations

Thanks girl Goodluck to you too

[trulyinlove 3]

congratulations....did u not fill up DS 230? only the 156,156k and 157? My fiancee going to have interview on the 2nd of November and she was asking me if she will fill up the fors DS 230. Thank u in advance

[Dean_De 61]

congratulations....did u not fill up DS 230? only the 156,156k and 157? My fiancee going to have interview on the 2nd of November and she was asking me if she will fill up the fors DS 230. Thank u in advance

Nope, only DS 156, 157, and 156K - if she is under the K1 visa category

[steffbry 5]

This is really very helpful!! ) now i have an idea what to do if ever that time will come. You made me feel soooo good after reading your experience+helpful tips! Congratulations and good luck on your US journey w/your soon to be husband!

[jameugiekaxavilon 25]

COngratulations!! :)

[Dean_De 61]

This is really very helpful!! ) now i have an idea what to do if ever that time will come. You made me feel soooo good after reading your experience+helpful tips! Congratulations and good luck on your US journey w/your soon to be husband!

Thank you so much too. Don't worry, keep believing that everything happens for a good reason. Just trust in God to take care of everything in your life for a good cause and stay positive.

[Dean_De 61]

COngratulations!! :)

Thanks you

[daryl&lada 8]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing!!!