Epiphany

I can honestly say that if I wasnt there my gal would have been declined."

What made you say that? Are you the one who answered all the questions?

My gal was asked half the questions and I was asked the other half. I got to explain about the questions the consol asked her. That put the consol at ease with us. All I can say is that if I was not there my gal would not have made it through 30 minutes with this consol. She would have been crying and a nervous wreck. I do not believe in my heart she would have passed the interview. Read what I said about the gals that went in previous to us.

Im not taking any chances with this until we are home in the states. It would be all to easy for the consols to get on the internet and read these pages. VJ was a vary common name floating around the blue chairs. Everyone of the gals and guys knew of this site. I would imagine the consols do too.

Congratulations and do share the details later.

DeeZee is right...i hope you could share some details..

specially those questions by the CO.

congratulations!

alexandra

As soon as we are home I will post very specific details. I promise you that. All I can say is that the men should be there. If the man is not there you really take your chances. There were 3 men there of which I was one of them. Thats 3 out of 200. I wont criticize not going with your gal but dont come here and complain if she doesnt get approved. I think this is the most important day you will ever face. This process is 90% preparation and 10% presentation but that 10% helps if its done correctly.

I dont want to say if the consol is male/female right now.

Forgot to thank everyone here that helped us. I also want to thank this forum without which would have made this trek much more difficult.

We were approved thats the good news. Our consul was very tough on my gal, very tough! I do not want to get into details until she is out of the country. I will be very specific once that happens. Our consol was denying people left and right. I saw many sad gals coming out of that room. One interview lasted 30+ minutes with the average lasting 20+ minutes. I listened to the gals getting grilled over and over and was cringing for them. God help you if you get this person. The consol would ask the same questions many different ways and if you slipped up you were toast.

The pre-screen person was nice but but very firm and business like. The consul on the other hand...

The link here about what happens at the USEM has many errors in it. They no longer give green/white tag for approval. You have prescreen BEFORE finger prints. You DO go to windows 37-38 after approval even if you have visa pick up in person. The finger print is at window 33. There were many other errors as well but I forget what they were as I am very tired (2am wakeup).

Be careful with your forms one tiny mistake on ours (even after checking them 6x) ended up being a big deal that got knocked down to a small deal once I started answering questions. I wish I could say more but fear punishment if I do.

Good luck to everyone. If you get this person you will need it. I can honestly say that if I wasnt there my gal would have been declined. No doubt in my mind.

Oh and it took 4.5 hours from start to finish. You CAN bring in food and water which I did do thank God. Just hide it in your gals purse.

Our app. is at 7:30AM how early should we arrive? How long does the whole process take? Should I bring a snack and water?

Thanks...

6am is fine, as they let 730 people let in around 630.... or if u want to wait a lil longer, you can go earlier. Goodluck

Thanks

How long does it take once you get in?

Goodluck on your interview!!!

Thanks...

Im surprised Im not that nervous at all. My gal on the other hand is a bit nervous but she sees that Im not and that has a calming effect on her.

I am presenting the request for visa pickup in person along with a copy of our E-Ticket for the Pal flight monday night. Is that all I need to do?

Our app. is at 7:30AM how early should we arrive? How long does the whole process take? Should I bring a snack and water?

Thanks...

I have an epiphany for you... Read Section 4.3 of the Manila Embassy K1 Visa Guide. Hehehehe!!!

Just out of curiosity. Why would a person disregard the "official" form from the united states and randomly read some web site for such important information like this?

Of course you are right and should totally disregard the fact that everyone here that interviewed in Manila had the DS-157 stamped. If reading the Manila Embassy K1 Visa Guide is some random web site, I would totally disregard it too. You should stand by that form and refuse to go to the interview until BPI changes their ways and complies with the instructions you were sent.

Is the Manila embassy website somehow less "official" than the instruction sheet you were sent?

Hmmmm.....

This must be the "Self Control" and the NON attack you were talking about in your last post. My mistake. I guess I stand corrected. You were just trying to help not be a sarcastic smart a**

Ask me how many posts Ive seen where someone got put on AR because they didn't follow the instructions to the letter?

Go ahead ask me.

Epiphany

Oh, oh, I'll ask.... I'll ask... How many?

Ok, I have a task for you. Simply call the USE and ask them for yourself. At least, that is what I have done in the past. Don't worry! Your point is well noted and completely understandable. It is absolutely your utmost responsibility to verify every piece of information that you receive from an unofficial visa immigration website.

Cheers,

Sheriff Uling

Thanks. You are correct. Im not sure ####### Johns issue is. I guess he has one big chip on his shoulder. I feel sorry for his bride. Im sure he will have some smart azz comment yet again.

I have an epiphany for you... Read Section 4.3 of the Manila Embassy K1 Visa Guide. Hehehehe!!!

Just out of curiosity. Why would a person disregard the "official" form from the united states and randomly read some web site for such important information like this?

Of course you are right and should totally disregard the fact that everyone here that interviewed in Manila had the DS-157 stamped. If reading the Manila Embassy K1 Visa Guide is some random web site, I would totally disregard it too. You should stand by that form and refuse to go to the interview until BPI changes their ways and complies with the instructions you were sent.

Is the Manila embassy website somehow less "official" than the instruction sheet you were sent?

Ask me how many posts Ive seen where someone got put on AR because they didn't follow the instructions to the letter?

Go ahead ask me.

I have an epiphany for you... Read Section 4.3 of the Manila Embassy K1 Visa Guide. Hehehehe!!!

Just out of curiosity. Why would a person disregard the "official" form from the united states and randomly read some web site for such important information like this?

its DS157. its in the sherrif ulings guide and in the packet 4 they have erased the DS156 and changed to DS157

IM looking as I type this at the official form sent by the embassy. It states DS156. Im doing what I was told to do by the US Embassy.

If its a typo then they need to inform me of that. I cant mind read for Gods sake. I dont want to make any mistakes.

This packet 4 is only 1 month old when did they change the instructions?

OK she just got back. They photocopied her 157 and marked paid. BUT they removed the expiration off the top???? Why?

Is a photocopy OK?

This is not giving me the warm and fuzzy feeling.

its DS157. its in the sherrif ulings guide and in the packet 4 they have erased the DS156 and changed to DS157

IM looking as I type this at the official form sent by the embassy. It states DS156. Im doing what I was told to do by the US Embassy.

If its a typo then they need to inform me of that. I cant mind read for Gods sake. I dont want to make any mistakes.

This packet 4 is only 1 month old when did they change the instructions?

My gal went to the bank today to pay the 100 dollars. They refused to stamp paid on the DS156 like the Packet 4 states. In stead they told her to take a DS157 and attach it to the ds156. I told her the packet 4 states it MUST be on the 156. I like to follow the instructions to the letter. I have seen to many people have problems by not doing exactly what they were told to do. I told her to go back to the bank and ask for a manager and bring the packet 4 instructions with her. I told her not to take no for an answer. It says to mark paid on the ds156 so thats what she needs to do.

Ideas? Anyone else have this problem?

I'm getting paranoid. My fiance sent me a package containing the original and photocopies of documents that I will be needing for the interview. The package hasn't arrived yet. He sent it thru USPS and he asked to have it traced but he was told the reply would be in 23 days. #######?! My interview is on 09-10 and Im getting jittery not having the papers with me yet! I also want to review the documents...I'm gonna cry!

I sent somthing from california to florida by usps and it took 3 weeks. I cant imagine how long it would take to go to manila.

Fedex would have been a much better choice. To get this far and have it come crashing down to save 20 dollars. YIKES!

Hello All ...

I arrived in the United States on my K-1 Visa on July 16th, my Husband's (Fiancee at the time's) 40th birthday.

Since I have arrived we have been very busy, Immunizations completed July 17, Married on July 18, SSN applied for on July 18, Vaccination Supplement by a Civil Surgeon July 19, AOS Filed for on July 27, etc. I have been practicing my driving skills and have become somewhat accustomed to the "Rules of the Road" here and hope to test for my drivers license next Saturday, September 1st.

Being so busy for the first week (my husband took off to be with us) we seldom had time to make dinner at home, this has been the only major culture shock that I have experienced so far .. I REALLY MISSED MY RICE !!!!! Now that everything has settled down, life is great.

The life I have lived here is much different than the one I had in the Philippines. I stayed home most of the time unless I HAD to do something. Donnie's kids are very talented and in demand musicians so we generally have at least two dances/shows to attend every week. I'm not complaining at all, actually it is nice to get out of the house. I have learned, however, that being on time is very much a priority for Donnie .. when I was in the Philippines it didn't matter much to me, but now it is of the utmost importance.

My husbands kids started school on August 15th and Ashley started school on August 17th, so the kids got to know Ashley and me on a full time basis for about a month and we really bonded; I finally feel like I have the family that I have always dreamed of.

Now that Donnie is working and the kids are back in school I feel so alone thru the day, but I try to keep myself busy with house work and such. I have always been such a scaredy cat when it comes to being alone, this and my fear of dogs are going to be real obstacles during the adjustment stage of my life here. (Donnie has a bloodhound .. BIG DOG .. he says all Bluegrass bands have to have one!) We live very far from the city, on a horse ranch with many acres of land (our yard is huge .. alot of mowing) and for the first time in many years I don't have a maid .. wahhhhhh.

Thanks for taking the time to read my BLOG .. hehe, I really just wanted to share with other Filipinas how much life really did change for me when I got to the U.S.

VisaJourney has been a great asset in my understanding of the entire visa process and I want to give a big thumbs up to everyone that helps out here. I seldom post to the forum, but I have spent alot of hours reading and reviewing the posts and to this point they haven't steered me wrong. Thanks everyone !!!!!!

Good luck to everyone out there ...

CountryGirl

Your English skills are very good. I'm trying to teach my gal English now. She has some skills but they are near the 1st grade level. As far as driving goes your lucky you dont live in the Big City as I do. Its going to be a challenge (understatement) to teach my gal to drive my 4x4 Diesel 2500 Heavy Duty truck.

The form asks for any/all of the above....

Statement from bank on all account activity

What if I keep most of my money in a mortage investment company and dont keep a large balance at the bank? They arent asking for this type of activity. I am way over the minimum income level.

Do I need life insurance?

Also the newest i-134 expired on 4/07.

Well I just talked to the bank and they WONT do whats asked for.

All they will do is re-mail me my monthly statements. They wont give me a letter declaring all 3 items asked for. Now what?

If you are employed and your job earnings are way above the minimum income level, then it is not required to include assets in the I-134. a copy of tax return or transcript and W-2 can be used to back up your reported income on the I-134.

and mostly they wont ask anymore for bank statements if u provided the papers mentioned by roy and yazi.

Im self employed. I make way way over the lower limit. I have tax transcripts for 3 years and w2's for 3 years plus check stubs from customers for 6 months. Is that enough? No bank info will be needed with this stuff?

The form asks for any/all of the above....

Statement from bank on all account activity

What if I keep most of my money in a mortage investment company and dont keep a large balance at the bank? They arent asking for this type of activity. I am way over the minimum income level.

Do I need life insurance?

Also the newest i-134 expired on 4/07.

Well I just talked to the bank and they WONT do whats asked for.

All they will do is re-mail me my monthly statements. They wont give me a letter declaring all 3 items asked for. Now what?

The form asks for any/all of the above....

Statement from bank on all account activity

What if I keep most of my money in a mortage investment company and dont keep a large balance at the bank? They arent asking for this type of activity. I am way over the minimum income level.

Do I need life insurance?

Also the newest i-134 expired on 4/07.

WE are filling out the online 156 form and it asks for the national ident number. Is that the same as her SSS number?

Im looking for a place to buy the fuel cartridges and or coleman fuel. Does anyone know of a camping gear store in those 2 areas?

If they have a website all the better. But a address and or cross street will suffice.

anyone?

Your magnesium deficient. Try magnesium citrate in water 3x per day. I use 150mg x 3. It may be other minerals as well. Try Twin-Labs twin caps (mineral). It cured about 7 issues I was having.

I have all of a sudden developed a skin problem... I used to suffer from mild acne when I was a teenager and I am guessing due to all the stress I have been under just lately it has made a reappearance!

My doctor put me on Oxitetracycline (sp) which doesn't seem to be doing anything... I have seen this Pro-Active stuff being advertised, with the likes of Jessica Simpson saying that it is a miracle cure etc

It's a wee bit expensive though... Has anyone else used this? Does it work?

Any other tips? It's driving me nuts!

Im looking for a place to buy the fuel cartridges and or coleman fuel. Does anyone know of a camping gear store in those 2 areas?

If they have a website all the better. But a address and or cross street will suffice.

Still in AR since July 16th...

I hate to say it but this is why you check and re-check your documents. This is also why the petitioner goes with the girl to the interview.

90% preparation 10% presentation.

I've read varying accounts about whether a 20% discount to the USA is actually available to K1 visa holders on Phil Air. Has anyone received this discount lately? Does anyone know a travel agency where it's available in Cebu? Thanks for your help ...

I went on PAL and bought a one way ticket for 600. I have no idea if thats a good price or not.