Travelpro

Maybe you did! Until now.. I close my eyes... and see the queue board

Still have nightmares about being chased by numbers

I must say "Hank has a lot of PATIENCE!!!" He unselfishly answered all queries here in Visa Journey forum. From K1 visa, Green Card and US Citizenship processing.

Keep up the good work Hank!!!!! God bless you more!!!!

+1

Hi VJ,

Had our interview Nov 12th which I attended with my Fiance. We got approved and just waiting for the text to pick up our Visa. What an interesting experience.

I arrived the weekend before to help my fiance prepare. We had completed all the older forms 156, 156K so we spent the weekend doing the DS-160 instead. We completed it and then asked our lawyer to log in and review. After we got her approval and double checked again we submitted it on Nov 10th. We brought the old documents just in case but of course we didn't need them.

We arrived at the embassy at 4am and we were third in line. We finally left the embassy at 3pm. What a long day.

There were only 2 other petitioners there. I won't get into the details of the process as many have posted already; 4 step process (1) finger print (2) initial interview (3) second interview (4) Decision of approval/denied.

We debated if I should go to the window or not. I have such a bad memory and I of course love my fiance and know here well. She was just worried that I would be asked questions also in which I didn't have the answer. She decided to go to the window alone. One of the other petitioners also did not go to the window while the 3rd petitioner went to the window with his fiance.

My fiance was asked the usual questions about me. I can't remember all the questions asked but...

- How we met

- When we met, how many times I visited, and when the last time was. I think her answer helped us a lot. "He has visited me 6 times in the last year, and mam, he is here now". "Where is he now?" "In the waiting area mam?" "Wow, that's nice".

- She was asked about my job. Then asked for my W2, 1040 but not asked for my employment letter.

- Where I lived

- My fiance showed the interviewer the large book we made of phone records, skype, email...the interviewer just looked at it and handed it back. Though we front loaded months of communication.

- She was asked for the receipt of the visa application even though its not in the instructions. Luckily, the night before I decided to stick it in our packet the last minute before going to sleep.

- There were some other questions but nothing difficult. She was at the window only for a short time compared to many others. Actually, she was worried why she didn't get asked more questions and we could hear the other windows. I explained because they believe you. if they were suspicious, they would have asked more question and not to worry.

The second interview was even shorter. She was asked some of the same questions I listed above. She also explained I visited 6 times "Really!" "and sir, he is here now in the waiting area". "Really!" Actually, she explained so much detail with each answer each time the interviewer said "Ok that's enough" then next question... "OK that's enough"...

Some people have posted not to tell them more that they ask and to keep the answers short. We felt the opposite. Especially from the others we heard interviewed. The less they said the more questions that were asked.

Then the forth step is to be called back to the window and they would tell you if approved or denied. This time I went to the window. The person looked at me almost the entire time and said "your documents are in order and you are approved. You have decided to pick up the Visa? OK, just go home and wait for ToGo to call you". During this process, I observed that sometimes in this 4th step, there were groups called and then there were individuals called. I observed that the fiance's who I heard iinterrogated were called in the group. I didn't hear all of them interviewed of course. I can only say they were included in the group to hear if they were accepted or denied. When we were called, it was just us that were called. I also observed one of the other petitioners and his fiance being called to the window alone. I won't make any conclusions just post my observations.

Some observations

- It didn't seem that being 3rd in line at 4am influenced the order we were called to the window.

- There were so many "mature" women applying for the Visa. I honestly expected many young girls there but there were very few.

- One poor woman who we made friends with didn't have her police clearance even though it was instructed many times during our wait to have all your documents. After she waited all day with us she was sent home without a visa to get her police clearance, HOWVER, we were not asked for a police clearance. We believe because we filed the visa with a Manila address and this woman was from another part of the Philippines and needed a police clearance from her town/city.

- We could hear many others getting interrogated because the interviewer was not happy with the fiance's answers. I could only hear the interviewer as they spoke through the intercom. I heard:

--> "You should know your fiance" I could not hear anymore from this interview. It seems when the interviewer was unhappy, they spoke loud. If the interview was going well, we could not hear anything

--> Another interview the interviewer kept having to repeat questions then I heard "does your fiance speak Tagalog? Then how do you communicate? Do you plan to have an interpreter in your marriage?".

--> Another interview I heard "do you know anything about Minneapolis? How can you marry someone, then move half way around the world to a foreign country and not know anything about where they live? Why do you want to marry him? No, I want to know why you want to marry him...Then I couldn't hear much after that.

--> I heard others having a rough time but the above is was stuck out the most.

I will post other comments if they come to mind.

Arrived Manila on Friday to help my fiancé prepare for the interview. We enjoyed the weekend in Rockwell Makati and will transfer to Casa Bocobo tomorrow.

I hired a lawyer but I feel very confident we are prepared thanks to VJ.

I will be sure to post my experience afterwards.

By the way, I heard though I can go into the embassy, I cannot go to the window with my fiancé and have to wait in the waiting area?

Travelpro,

yes please do the ds-160 forms. My fiance was also exempt and wasnt rquired to have that form, but she completed the form anyway. When she went to interview, she submit only the ds-160 form. The interviewer was happy she had it completed. It made the process much easier and didnt require review of the other documents.

Thank you everyone else. We were so worried, and forgot about the photos submitted at St Lukes. The process is so long and requires so much paperwork that it is easy to get "lost" in it.

Thanks. We will do that

Thank you Hank

Hank, we rescheduled the interview Sept 19th and got the Nov 12th interview date. We have the confirmation email notice from the USEM dated Sept 19th. Should I follow the new instructions? Seems I'm OK with the older one.

Did St. Luke's reschedule your interview after Oct 7th?

St Luke's didint do anything with the appointment. We managed it ourselves.

We canceled the first interview which was in Sept when told she needed the Sputum test in August. Before getting the results on Oct 22nd, we scheduled the new appointment for Nov 12th

That link is to the obsolete instructions letter.

This is the new letter, and the DS-160 is the only DS form listed --> http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/325288/packets/K1%20and%20K2%20Interview%20Preparation%20Instructions%20-%20English%20_10%20October%202013_.pdf

How long have these new instructions been posted?

May I also ask about the DS-160? I just now heard about it. Interview had been scheduled for Sept but we got held up in Aug with a Sputum test. After being cleared by St Luke's last week, now our interview is Nov 12th. Should I use the DS-160?

http://travel.state.gov/visa/forms/forms_4401.html

NOTE: For K visa cases in process at a U.S. embassy or consulate, the DS-160 is not required when, prior to October 7^th, 2013, one of the following situations exist:

• The K visa applicant is already scheduled for an interview.

--> I guess I meet this requirement and do not need it? BUT in that case, is it helpful to use it anyway?

I don't see the DS-160 requirements in the instructions.

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Revised%20K1%20Instruction_rtf2_rtf2_001.pdf

Thanks,

Jeff

For future fiance's who have to take the Sputum test, we got the results over the phone. She gave them her PDS number and they verified the results were negative. Also she was told to call at 11:30am but nobody answered the phone until 11:50am.

Now I'm off to Manila in 2 weeks to meet her for the interview.

Thanks Lee. We already scheduled the interview for Nov 12th ...expecting/hoping for a negative result.

Hi Travelpro, Hank is correct. Here's some detailed info, my fiance just finished her 2 month wait last Wednesday. When she called them that day, they pretty much told her it was negative and scheduled her to go to St Luke's today. She messaged me saying she will get immunization shots and take a pregnancy test. When she goes back tomorrow they will schedule her embassy interview. It does take two days. Hope this helps

Thank you Lee. That is exactly what I was looking for. I wondered if she needs to take Oct 23rd off work but sounds like she just needs to call on that day and finish the medical another day. Much appreciated!!!

I thought I read in other posts that they don't give results over the phone and she has to visit SLEC to get the results?

Thanks Hank but I meant assuming its Negative, what exactly does she need to do and the timing. If she has to call on Oct 23rd at 9am and results are negative, can she go and complete everything on the 23rd? What is the most likely schedule? I'm trying to find out exactly what day(s) she needs to take off work; assuming the most likely scenario.

My fiance is supposed to call on Oct 23rd. Can someone advise the most likely scenario? She needs to take time off work and I wanted to know when they would most likely ask her to come back and how much time it will take to finish the medical. Thanks!

Its not texting and its not the cheapest but I bought my fiance a Pocket WiFi through Globe. I pay about $22 a month for that with unlimited data. But she can email from her phone anytime and do the same plus skype on from Tablet anytime.

I have been to Cebu many times. Its a totally different vibe compared to Manila. I "feel" its so much safer (very subjective), people are so much nicer, less crowded, international airport, and located in my favorite part of the Philippines; the Visayas. Much more protected from Typhoons and centrally located from the diving spots I love like Bohol, Malapsacua, Apo Island...

I'm buying in Camotes...on the island of San Francisco off the coast of Cebu.

Nice choice!

Biggest thing with living in the Phils is "where", if you want a condo/house in the cities then it will be spendy. Manila/Makati is as expensive living as being in the USA; housing and food for sure are right up there, and I hate the traffic...

When I visit my fiance and if we stay in Manila, I rent a small studio condo in the La Joya complex located in Rockwell, Makati. I will say considering eating out and going to the market, its as much if not more than what I pay in California Bay Area. But I will say Rockwell is in its own little world and you don't feel like your in Manila. Love the Philippines, hate Manila. Would much rather be in Cebu.

My fiance got hit with the Sputum test even though she has had her vaccinations and showed the paperwork. I told her to go back with 10,000php and ask the doctor to confirm if she really needs the sputum test. I know, wrong on so many levels but I would gladly pay it and some to bypass that 2 months waiting. Of course she is a better person than I and didn't go for it.

She has had a couple of medical exams done over the last year for new jobs and their x-ray's didn't show anything.

We were told that we were approved during the interview. Interview was on Tuesday, CEAC said ISSUED on Wednesday and it was ready for pickup by Friday.

Thanks for the info

Yes, Alice's is famous. Hope you enjoyed your trip.

One of the most common questions popping up here on VJ after the interview is: "We were not told we were approved at the interview, is that normal?" . Now some ask at the last window before leaving if they were approved and that person has been know to say yes, but that is not FINAL approval. Until the application is reviewed and approved the 2nd time... nothing is in writing.

Thanks again Hank. I got your point and is exactly what I wanted to confirm. Cheers!

I was told at the time of the interview that it was approved. That was on a Monday and by Thursday the visa package arrived at my local loomis office. I have my flight booked for this Thursday! Very excited, and happy with how quick it all went.

Thank you. I can reference many posts stating they were told in the interview they are approved.

Anyway, its seems possible to get the visa in 2 weeks and its not going to have any negative impact having to change the flight and wait another 1-2 weeks; other than the fact she is just sitting around and waiting.

No one is approved at the interview, all files are reviewed a 2nd time before actual approval. Embassy states it can take up to two weeks for the visa to be delivered after issuance.... of course issuance comes after approval.

Thank you Hank. I have read that some were told in the interview they are approved. I'm sure you have read the same in this forum. Do you know what they were referring to?

So in your opinion, how long does it take to get notified of being approved after the interview?

Yes, she has done her CFO.

I'm using miles for her flight to US and I can change the date without penalty. So I guess we can shoot for Nov 27th but push it out if needed.

Lowering chances of approval? Not at all, as long as you have evidence of a real ongoing relationship the interview is a breeze. No worries.

Big thing at the interview is your fiancee being self-assured, confident, smiles and looks 'em in the eyes when speaking to the CO.

+10

We couldn't be together, and she did just fine. Did I WANT to be there? Yes. But couldn't. Now, if you have scheduled a vacation over there at the same time as the interview, and you would have gone this year anyway, no reason to NOT go with. But if money is tight, or time, then going has zero benefit on the VJ process.

I had planned to be with her at the interview when we started this process. After reading the many posts on VJ I decided it wasn't needed. Though my fiance was a bit disappointed at first, we decided the time off work and money could be better spent when she gets here. Then it turned out I have to be in japan and will be there until Nov 7th; her sputum test results are Oct 23rd. Considering Nov 11th is a company holiday I told her if by chance you can set the interview Nov 8th, 11th or 12th I will be there. She emailed me the next day with an interview confirmation for Nov 12th. So for me, the stars were aligned that day. I only have to pay one way Tokyo -> Manila and only have to take 1 vacation day.

Considering its been since June since I've seen her and that she is now SO happy I will be there, its a good idea for me regardless if it helps or not.

Hi VJ,

I'd like to ask, generally speaking, when does the visa get approved? I have read some are informed at the interview. Is this the majority? If not, how many days on average would we be notified from the interview date that the visa is approved?

Also, how many days on average could we expect the visa to be available for pick up (we will chose this option) from the interview date.

Oct 23rd Our Sputum test results

Oct 24th finishes the medical

Oct 25th she gives her 2 week notice at work (yes, this is a calculated risk we are taking)

Nov 7th I arrive in Manila

Nov 12th Interview date (we already scheduled)

Nov 13th I fly back to US and she will fly to Zamboanga to be with her parents and other family

Nov 25th she will fly back to Manila and pick up her Visa assuming its available

Nov 27th she fly's to US

Are these dates too ambutious?

Thanks!