My US embassy K1 interview 01-24-2014

[majesticreature 0]

Okay. I know there has been a lot of blogs about a K1 US embassy interview out there, and that this thing that I’m about to write won’t be something new. It may not be something new but it can be “recent”..lol

Anyway, I decided to write about my experience to shed light to others who are about to go through the same thing I did. Let me guess, if you are reading this right now you might have read about more than one blog about a K1 visa interview experience right? Well, to tell you I did exactly the same thing. We want to be prepared and to hear others’ experiences kind of helps us feel that we are informed about what to expect to some degree.

So to start, once you have your interview scheduled, here are some do’s and dont’s to remember:

1. Don’t lose your MRV receipt. The paper/receipt you get after paying the visa fee from BPI or from where ever you paid your visa fee.

2. Do your DS-160 and print the confirmation page. This will be only page that you should bring when you go for the interview. Do not bring the entire DS-160 set with your data and answered questionnaire.

3. And please…..do take seriously the part on the DS-160 confirmation page that says “and other supporting documents”. I know it only said bring this DS-160 confirmation page, an approved I-129 F and other supporting documents. Well guess what? The other supporting documents might sound unimportant but it makes up about 80% of the papers that you will need.

So for those who do not know what composes the “supporting documents”, here it is.

1. YOUR DOCUMENTS like

NSO birth certificate

NSO CENOMAR (remember you are applying for a “fiance” visa

it’s expected that as a fiance–you are single)

NBI clearance

Passport

2. YOUR AMERICAN FIANCE’S DOCUMENTS like

Latest income tax returns

His CENOMAR

W2 (Witholding Tax statements) esp if working

Form I-134: Affidavit of Support

Bank statements

Proof of properties

3. OTHERS

Things that prove your ongoing relationship like pictures, email or chats, phone bills, money remittances or a joint account in a bank.

Remember: It is better to have more documents than needed than to lack one.

I had like a 2kg envelope that I carried with me in the interview. It has all the documents I could possibly think that I’ll need.

Just a disclaimer though: We hired a Visa Assistance agency here in the Philippines. But, I’m not encouraging you guys to get one if you are already at this point where you are about to have an interview. If you are someone who is just about to start to apply for a K1 visa from the beginning, and do not want the hassle of doing research on what to do then an agency will do you good. As for me, we hired an agency because my fiance just wants to make sure that we’ll do everything perfectly. I was hesitant at first to do such, because I know myself. I know that we can just all do it on our own, by just reading and following instructions well. However, like I said, my fiance just wants to be sure about everything to perfect.

Another thing to decide before your interview, is whether to go there very early or not on your interview date. Well, based on what I’ve experienced, going there early has very little impact on whether or not your number will be called first “in the first process which is the fingerprinting”. Going there early though would be of benefit if you want to be over with the final interview right away because that’s the time that they call your numbers in order.

In my case, I was able to get out of the embassy at 3:00 pm. Got there at 6:00 am, had submitted papers, did fingerprint and made the initial interview with the Filipino staff before 12 noon. After all that, we were asked to come back at 1:00 pm and then we had the final interview and releasing of results (like whether or not you are approved or if you still have to submit some documents needed). So I guess the “early in, early out” still holds true for this. I could have arrived there very early like 4:00 am but I got scared to walk 2 blocks away from the hotel at that early hour, plus–I don’t wanna wait that long outside the embassy because they won’t let you in until at about 6:00 am (not so sure about this because when I got there, they already started letting people go inside, and people were already lining up and moving).

Now I know you are curious as to what kind of questions I got. So here they are:

1. How did you meet your fiance? (which is like an SOP question)

2. When did you start your relationship?

3. How many times did he come to the Philippines to see you?

4. What does your fiance do for a living? (I think is a very important question, if possible do know the work history of your American fiance). Then he went and looked at the numbers in the paper, I’m talking about the $. Like his tax returns, bank statements and affidavit of support.

5. (I almost forgot to mention this) Has your fiance been married? Does he have children? Have you ever been married? Do you have children?

6. Have you been to another country within the last 5 years? If so, have you stayed for more than 6 months in that country?

Those were the only questions that I can remember. Just to tell you, the consuls can be very “at your face” depending on your situation. Like there was this one applicant that was asked like “What made you decide to signup on that dating website?” (I can hear it coz the booth was located near the place we were seated). This lady consul fired questions at her like a machine gun! Like she wasn’t even finished with the last word in her statement, and there went another question again. So I guess that might have been also a tactic on the consul’s side. You know, they want to make sure what your true intentions are.

So that’s it. My final interview didn’t last but about 10 minutes. I think it might have been less than that. Then after the final interview, I waited for my name to be called in another window and the man told me that they are still waiting for St. Luke’s to forward my results to them and when that happens, they will review it and if everything’s good to go, then I’ll receive my visa. I will just have to follow up on them. They didn’t tell me this, but I guess the reason why St Luke’s still didn’t forward my results was because in their record my interview should have been March12, 2014 instead of January24, 2014. I changed my schedule when I saw an earlier one.

So for those who have decided to change and get an earlier schedule for interview, be sure to call St. Luke’s and tell them to forward your results to the embassy ASAP because your schedule has been changed. They might say something like “You do not have to inform us, because we will be the one to forward it to them.” Guess what? You have to light their butts and demand that they forward it before your interview. This is what happened to me. I informed them about the change in schedule and all, then they just said that exact same thing, and what do I get? An unfulfilled feeling after the interview. Like I’m still left hanging, there has not been a statement from the staff like “Ok ma’am, expect your visa in about a week”, which is what I wanted and expected.

So anyway, that’s about it. I didn’t go through all the details like the step by step stuff coz I’m pretty sure you’ve already read it in some other blogs or sites too.

God bless everyone! And do not stress yourself much. Just make sure that you are all prepared with your documents and with yourself before going in to the interview.

Ciao! =)

[Curry and Cherry 1]

Okay. I know there has been a lot of blogs about a K1 US embassy interview out there, and that this thing that I’m about to write won’t be something new. It may not be something new but it can be “recent”..lol

Anyway, I decided to write about my experience to shed light to others who are about to go through the same thing I did. Let me guess, if you are reading this right now you might have read about more than one blog about a K1 visa interview experience right? Well, to tell you I did exactly the same thing. We want to be prepared and to hear others’ experiences kind of helps us feel that we are informed about what to expect to some degree.

So to start, once you have your interview scheduled, here are some do’s and dont’s to remember:

1. Don’t lose your MRV receipt. The paper/receipt you get after paying the visa fee from BPI or from where ever you paid your visa fee.

2. Do your DS-160 and print the confirmation page. This will be only page that you should bring when you go for the interview. Do not bring the entire DS-160 set with your data and answered questionnaire.

3. And please…..do take seriously the part on the DS-160 confirmation page that says “and other supporting documents”. I know it only said bring this DS-160 confirmation page, an approved I-129 F and other supporting documents. Well guess what? The other supporting documents might sound unimportant but it makes up about 80% of the papers that you will need.

So for those who do not know what composes the “supporting documents”, here it is.

1. YOUR DOCUMENTS like

NSO birth certificate

NSO CENOMAR (remember you are applying for a “fiance” visa

it’s expected that as a fiance–you are single)

NBI clearance

Passport

2. YOUR AMERICAN FIANCE’S DOCUMENTS like

Latest income tax returns

His CENOMAR

W2 (Witholding Tax statements) esp if working

Form I-134: Affidavit of Support

Bank statements

Proof of properties

3. OTHERS

Things that prove your ongoing relationship like pictures, email or chats, phone bills, money remittances or a joint account in a bank.

Remember: It is better to have more documents than needed than to lack one.

I had like a 2kg envelope that I carried with me in the interview. It has all the documents I could possibly think that I’ll need.

Just a disclaimer though: We hired a Visa Assistance agency here in the Philippines. But, I’m not encouraging you guys to get one if you are already at this point where you are about to have an interview. If you are someone who is just about to start to apply for a K1 visa from the beginning, and do not want the hassle of doing research on what to do then an agency will do you good. As for me, we hired an agency because my fiance just wants to make sure that we’ll do everything perfectly. I was hesitant at first to do such, because I know myself. I know that we can just all do it on our own, by just reading and following instructions well. However, like I said, my fiance just wants to be sure about everything to perfect.

Another thing to decide before your interview, is whether to go there very early or not on your interview date. Well, based on what I’ve experienced, going there early has very little impact on whether or not your number will be called first “in the first process which is the fingerprinting”. Going there early though would be of benefit if you want to be over with the final interview right away because that’s the time that they call your numbers in order.

In my case, I was able to get out of the embassy at 3:00 pm. Got there at 6:00 am, had submitted papers, did fingerprint and made the initial interview with the Filipino staff before 12 noon. After all that, we were asked to come back at 1:00 pm and then we had the final interview and releasing of results (like whether or not you are approved or if you still have to submit some documents needed). So I guess the “early in, early out” still holds true for this. I could have arrived there very early like 4:00 am but I got scared to walk 2 blocks away from the hotel at that early hour, plus–I don’t wanna wait that long outside the embassy because they won’t let you in until at about 6:00 am (not so sure about this because when I got there, they already started letting people go inside, and people were already lining up and moving).

Now I know you are curious as to what kind of questions I got. So here they are:

1. How did you meet your fiance? (which is like an SOP question)

2. When did you start your relationship?

3. How many times did he come to the Philippines to see you?

4. What does your fiance do for a living? (I think is a very important question, if possible do know the work history of your American fiance). Then he went and looked at the numbers in the paper, I’m talking about the $. Like his tax returns, bank statements and affidavit of support.

5. (I almost forgot to mention this) Has your fiance been married? Does he have children? Have you ever been married? Do you have children?

6. Have you been to another country within the last 5 years? If so, have you stayed for more than 6 months in that country?

Those were the only questions that I can remember. Just to tell you, the consuls can be very “at your face” depending on your situation. Like there was this one applicant that was asked like “What made you decide to signup on that dating website?” (I can hear it coz the booth was located near the place we were seated). This lady consul fired questions at her like a machine gun! Like she wasn’t even finished with the last word in her statement, and there went another question again. So I guess that might have been also a tactic on the consul’s side. You know, they want to make sure what your true intentions are.

So that’s it. My final interview didn’t last but about 10 minutes. I think it might have been less than that. Then after the final interview, I waited for my name to be called in another window and the man told me that they are still waiting for St. Luke’s to forward my results to them and when that happens, they will review it and if everything’s good to go, then I’ll receive my visa. I will just have to follow up on them. They didn’t tell me this, but I guess the reason why St Luke’s still didn’t forward my results was because in their record my interview should have been March12, 2014 instead of January24, 2014. I changed my schedule when I saw an earlier one.

So for those who have decided to change and get an earlier schedule for interview, be sure to call St. Luke’s and tell them to forward your results to the embassy ASAP because your schedule has been changed. They might say something like “You do not have to inform us, because we will be the one to forward it to them.” Guess what? You have to light their butts and demand that they forward it before your interview. This is what happened to me. I informed them about the change in schedule and all, then they just said that exact same thing, and what do I get? An unfulfilled feeling after the interview. Like I’m still left hanging, there has not been a statement from the staff like “Ok ma’am, expect your visa in about a week”, which is what I wanted and expected.

So anyway, that’s about it. I didn’t go through all the details like the step by step stuff coz I’m pretty sure you’ve already read it in some other blogs or sites too.

God bless everyone! And do not stress yourself much. Just make sure that you are all prepared with your documents and with yourself before going in to the interview.

Ciao! =)

I hope you do get approved when the hospital finally forwards your medical report. Quick question do you think it would be okay if i send a scanned copy of the i-134 form to my interview?

[makulit909 4]

Thank you so much for sharing! My fiance is scheduled to be interviewed on Feb 3 and we are already so anxious about it. By reading all our VJs K1 visa interview experiences, it provides us a lot of information and helps us to be more prepared when that day comes..

Goodluck and God bless...

[Love&Dave 0]

Thank you for that very informative blog. So helpful for my interview preparation this coming March 17...

[majesticreature 0]

Hi Guys!

Thank you for your well wishes. It is my pleasure to help.

Alright. Since this is actually my first blog and first post here in VJ, I

do not know exactly how to reply to every post, so I guess what I will be making

here will be addressed to everybody who responded.

Re: Form I-134 in the interview

I am quite certain that you can just have a scanned copy of the form I-134 (meaning, it does

not have to be the original). So if you have a scanned copy of your form I-134 or Affidavit of support, DO BRING IT.

Attached in this post are the 2 small pieces of paper that were stapled togetther (its just separated into 2 and enlarged here so you can see the texts better, but the real thing is only like 2-3 inch-square big) that I had with me during the entire interview

process. Let me give you a glimpse on what it looks like so you will know what to do.

The first one is obviously your number. So always keep that in mind.

The second paper tells you what documents you have to prepare before going in for the initial interview

with the Filipino USEM staff. So in there you will see which documents should have to be in their ORIGINAL forms and which ones are okay to be just PHOTOCOPIES.

And oh! DO NOT MIND THE the DS STUFF on the top portion of the second paper. DS-156, 157 and the others have been REPLACED by the DS-160. So if you got your DS-160, do not stress yourself anymore about the other DSes...

If you have some other questions, feel free to post it here (I'll try to answer them to the best of my knowledge). Just don't throw me ridiculous ones though, we are supposed to be in a serious mode here. I mean, this is getting a visa that we are talking here, so yeah, true and honest questions would really be appreciated.

Thanks!

[majesticreature 0]

Ooops!!! Sorry made a mistake FORM I-134 should be in ORIGINAL as what the list of requirements said on the paper. Meaning fresh signature from the petitioner.

I just reviewed it. It was the W2 and the Income Tax Returns that are okay to be Photocopies.

[cabanez_ross 0]

Okay. I know there has been a lot of blogs about a K1 US embassy interview out there, and that this thing that I’m about to write won’t be something new. It may not be something new but it can be “recent”..lol

Anyway, I decided to write about my experience to shed light to others who are about to go through the same thing I did. Let me guess, if you are reading this right now you might have read about more than one blog about a K1 visa interview experience right? Well, to tell you I did exactly the same thing. We want to be prepared and to hear others’ experiences kind of helps us feel that we are informed about what to expect to some degree.

So to start, once you have your interview scheduled, here are some do’s and dont’s to remember:

1. Don’t lose your MRV receipt. The paper/receipt you get after paying the visa fee from BPI or from where ever you paid your visa fee.

2. Do your DS-160 and print the confirmation page. This will be only page that you should bring when you go for the interview. Do not bring the entire DS-160 set with your data and answered questionnaire.

3. And please…..do take seriously the part on the DS-160 confirmation page that says “and other supporting documents”. I know it only said bring this DS-160 confirmation page, an approved I-129 F and other supporting documents. Well guess what? The other supporting documents might sound unimportant but it makes up about 80% of the papers that you will need.

So for those who do not know what composes the “supporting documents”, here it is.

1. YOUR DOCUMENTS like

NSO birth certificate

NSO CENOMAR (remember you are applying for a “fiance” visa

it’s expected that as a fiance–you are single)

NBI clearance

Passport

2. YOUR AMERICAN FIANCE’S DOCUMENTS like

Latest income tax returns

His CENOMAR

W2 (Witholding Tax statements) esp if working

Form I-134: Affidavit of Support

Bank statements

Proof of properties

3. OTHERS

Things that prove your ongoing relationship like pictures, email or chats, phone bills, money remittances or a joint account in a bank.

Remember: It is better to have more documents than needed than to lack one.

I had like a 2kg envelope that I carried with me in the interview. It has all the documents I could possibly think that I’ll need.

Just a disclaimer though: We hired a Visa Assistance agency here in the Philippines. But, I’m not encouraging you guys to get one if you are already at this point where you are about to have an interview. If you are someone who is just about to start to apply for a K1 visa from the beginning, and do not want the hassle of doing research on what to do then an agency will do you good. As for me, we hired an agency because my fiance just wants to make sure that we’ll do everything perfectly. I was hesitant at first to do such, because I know myself. I know that we can just all do it on our own, by just reading and following instructions well. However, like I said, my fiance just wants to be sure about everything to perfect.

Another thing to decide before your interview, is whether to go there very early or not on your interview date. Well, based on what I’ve experienced, going there early has very little impact on whether or not your number will be called first “in the first process which is the fingerprinting”. Going there early though would be of benefit if you want to be over with the final interview right away because that’s the time that they call your numbers in order.

In my case, I was able to get out of the embassy at 3:00 pm. Got there at 6:00 am, had submitted papers, did fingerprint and made the initial interview with the Filipino staff before 12 noon. After all that, we were asked to come back at 1:00 pm and then we had the final interview and releasing of results (like whether or not you are approved or if you still have to submit some documents needed). So I guess the “early in, early out” still holds true for this. I could have arrived there very early like 4:00 am but I got scared to walk 2 blocks away from the hotel at that early hour, plus–I don’t wanna wait that long outside the embassy because they won’t let you in until at about 6:00 am (not so sure about this because when I got there, they already started letting people go inside, and people were already lining up and moving).

Now I know you are curious as to what kind of questions I got. So here they are:

1. How did you meet your fiance? (which is like an SOP question)

2. When did you start your relationship?

3. How many times did he come to the Philippines to see you?

4. What does your fiance do for a living? (I think is a very important question, if possible do know the work history of your American fiance). Then he went and looked at the numbers in the paper, I’m talking about the $. Like his tax returns, bank statements and affidavit of support.

5. (I almost forgot to mention this) Has your fiance been married? Does he have children? Have you ever been married? Do you have children?

6. Have you been to another country within the last 5 years? If so, have you stayed for more than 6 months in that country?

Those were the only questions that I can remember. Just to tell you, the consuls can be very “at your face” depending on your situation. Like there was this one applicant that was asked like “What made you decide to signup on that dating website?” (I can hear it coz the booth was located near the place we were seated). This lady consul fired questions at her like a machine gun! Like she wasn’t even finished with the last word in her statement, and there went another question again. So I guess that might have been also a tactic on the consul’s side. You know, they want to make sure what your true intentions are.

So that’s it. My final interview didn’t last but about 10 minutes. I think it might have been less than that. Then after the final interview, I waited for my name to be called in another window and the man told me that they are still waiting for St. Luke’s to forward my results to them and when that happens, they will review it and if everything’s good to go, then I’ll receive my visa. I will just have to follow up on them. They didn’t tell me this, but I guess the reason why St Luke’s still didn’t forward my results was because in their record my interview should have been March12, 2014 instead of January24, 2014. I changed my schedule when I saw an earlier one.

So for those who have decided to change and get an earlier schedule for interview, be sure to call St. Luke’s and tell them to forward your results to the embassy ASAP because your schedule has been changed. They might say something like “You do not have to inform us, because we will be the one to forward it to them.” Guess what? You have to light their butts and demand that they forward it before your interview. This is what happened to me. I informed them about the change in schedule and all, then they just said that exact same thing, and what do I get? An unfulfilled feeling after the interview. Like I’m still left hanging, there has not been a statement from the staff like “Ok ma’am, expect your visa in about a week”, which is what I wanted and expected.

So anyway, that’s about it. I didn’t go through all the details like the step by step stuff coz I’m pretty sure you’ve already read it in some other blogs or sites too.

God bless everyone! And do not stress yourself much. Just make sure that you are all prepared with your documents and with yourself before going in to the interview.

Ciao! =)

Hi i just wanted to ask how did you change your interview schedule by thru online?i was set my interview schedule thru phone then i got date april 28 2014.so i want to change as earlier date because ive done already on my medical and just till may 5 2014 the validity of my medical examination.

[MOMMA 0]

could you tell me please did you make your own interview. i have applied for a k1 visa i have filled out the ds 160 and have had my medical , when you filled out the ds 160 did you have to pay a fee for a nonimigrant visa i have not paid anything over here in London yet am i doing something wrong .

[majesticreature 0]

Hi i just wanted to ask how did you change your interview schedule by thru online?i was set my interview schedule thru phone then i got date april 28 2014.so i want to change as earlier date because ive done already on my medical and just till may 5 2014 the validity of my medical examination.

Hi Ross!

I was able to reschedule my interview by going to this website :

https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=Philippines

I had my username and password given to me by my visa assistance agent and I was able to access my account and change my schedule.

As for you case, if you have scheduled it "through phone", I suggest you call that person/agency who scheduled your appointment and ask them if they were able to make you an online account, then you ask for your username and password. If they DID not make you an online account and IF they tell you that you can make one for your own then do so by, clicking "New User?" which is found on the lower right end of the page, and then just fill it out properly and follow the instructions very carefully.

Good luck!

[Girl from Celebes 588]

That's very informative and useful for users here. For me, I did not bring a bunch of papers. Only 2 folders and I named each page with documents that the consulate ask me on Packet 3 list and the other folder for additional docs in case they asked me. They did not even looked at ongoing relationship or chat logs, skype video call, or such things. I actually could hear their discuss my K-1 visa application and even before the interview I had a feeling will get approval.

Even though some people have a real genuinely relationship, beware of the other thing like I-134. Some users here got denied because the petitioner is not make enough money to support their fiance(e)s. Thank God my fiance way up above poverty guidelines. My fiance also provided me bank statements from 2 bank accounts for his saving, bonds and stocks investment, life insurance, paycheck, to show the US embassy in Jakarta that he can support me in any way - oh well, they did not ask but just need well prepared-.

Best part, after the Consular Officer ask me when the last time I met my fiance and then told him that he was with me in waiting room before the interview, he stopped and said my K-1 visa was approved.

Edited January 26, 2014 by Girl from Celebes

[majesticreature 0]

could you tell me please did you make your own interview. i have applied for a k1 visa i have filled out the ds 160 and have had my medical , when you filled out the ds 160 did you have to pay a fee for a nonimigrant visa i have not paid anything over here in London yet am i doing something wrong .

I'm sorry, but I am not familiar with how the UK system works. It might have some similarities here in the Philippines, so here's one thing I can tell. I paid for my visa fee first before I made my DS 160. Somehow I have to register first by making a draft DS-160 online, then they will give you a sort of like confirmation page. You will then show this page to the bank where you will pay, and the bank will give an MRV receipt after.

Just to tell you though, I hired an agent to help me through this entire process. Dont get me wrong, Im not here to advertise or anything, just sharing my real experience. You see, every website is country specific, so I cannot give much information about your case because I applied here in the Philippines.

[majesticreature 0]

That's very informative and useful for users here. For me, I did not bring a bunch of papers. Only 2 folders and I named each page with documents that the consulate ask me on Packet 3 list and the other folder for additional docs in case they asked me. They did not even looked at ongoing relationship or chat logs, skype video call, or such things. I actually could hear their discuss my K-1 visa application and even before the interview I had a feeling will get approval.

Even though some people have a real genuinely relationship, beware of the other thing like I-134. Some users here got denied because the petitioner is not make enough money to support their fiance(e)s. Thank God my fiance way up above poverty guidelines. My fiance also provided me bank statements from 2 bank accounts for his saving, bonds and stocks investment, life insurance, paycheck, to show the US embassy in Jakarta that he can support me in any way - oh well, they did not ask but just need well prepared-.

Best part, after the Consular Officer ask me when the last time I met my fiance and then told him that he was with me in waiting room before the interview, he stopped and said my K-1 visa was approved.

Oh Congratulations! Glad to hear your interview went well.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Oh Congratulations! Glad to hear your interview went well.

Congratulations to you as well. All people who already have been through this process can related to you.

[mi amore 0]

ohh no when i read your post here about your interview experienced and see i missed something i dont have cenomar of my fiance now im worried.my interview is on feb 3,but when i see his I 134 he put single even in his tax he croseed out single.

[icebryker 21]

Do US Citizens have a CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage)??