paige11

i think you meant Guidance and Counselling Seminar. PDOS are for Filipino emigrants, or those who have been granted an immigrant-class visa.

This was posted in our timeline but I wanted to share this here for those that needed a little hope in their journeys.

First and foremost, this entire experience wouldn't have been possible without God who made things way more easy than we could ever imagined it to be. We are one of those few who went for a co-sponsor to help with our case. All glory belongs to Him!

To the Visa Journey team, hats off to you guys! Without this site, we would've not made it this far. All of those who posted and commented regarding the k1 visa process have been undeniably valuable to the success of our journey. You guys rock! Forreals!

So yeah, I had my interview on October 3,2012. My schedule was for 7.30.

Tips:

1. Bring an umbrella! Ber months are rainy months and i was lucky to have rain pouring down during my interview date. haha

2. Also, no need to wait early hours like i did. 1 hour before the set time is ideal since the whole thing is not on a first-come, first-serve basis anyways.

In order for this to be an easy-read, here are the organized/compiled steps i went through at the USEM. Hope this will be a help to all of you!

FIRST: (6.30am) When lining up to get in, prepare the ff: passport, appointment letter, and the DS Forms (156, 157 and 156k). To avoid delays, glue the pictures onto the DS 156 forms. After this, the lady/guy will put a sticker onto your passport with a barcode on it, give you a ziplock bag to place your passport inside with the bio page shown, and staple everything.

SECOND: (6.35am) X-ray machine. Don't bring any electronics, food, water, sharp objects or anything that you know may cause the machine to alarm. The USEM can have you reschedule your interview if you have any of these items.

THIRD: (6.40am) Window 39. Drop the forms at the counter and they'll assign you a number. Be sure to keep the stub with your number on it because you'll be needing this the entire time. Lucky number: 6063!

FOURTH: (6.45am) Manual Inspection of bags. Same with the second step but only with guards going through your bags thoroughly.

FIFTH: (6.50am) Waiting/Staring game. Be sure to keep an eye on the board with new numbers flashing from time to time. It can get pretty dull but trust me it will help if you are attentive to it or else you might miss your number and get accommodated later on.

SIXTH: (7.45am) Fingerprint scan-Window 42. The assistant will help you out on how to properly do it. So no worries if you do not know what to do with the scanner in front of you.

SEVENTH: (9.40am) Pre-screener/Filipino Consul. I was assigned to a middle-aged man on Window 47. He asked for the basics. It went pretty well but when it came to the AOS part, he grilled me a bit. He said that Co-sponsorship was against the law and made me feel like i have a no-win situation and that all of mine and my fiance's efforts were a waste. It was all good because i am confident that i have this in the bag already. It didn't faze me and i didn't allow those words to get through me. I said "ah okay po, thank you sir." haha He was tough but i know he can't help it. He's just doing his job i guess. Documents collected: BPI receipts, NBI, NSO BC, CENOMAR and AOS Foms (I-134/I-134a,I-864a; employment letters, W-2s, ITR, Bank Statements)

EIGHTH: (9:45am) American Consul-Window 60. So yeah, i didn't even have time to think and my number was flashed on the board. I was greeted by a lady consul and i was asked to swear and take an oath. After all that, she asked me all of the basic questions there is. She asked for pictures and she was satisfied with it and she even was "awwwwing" when she saw a pic of me and my fiance at a wedding we both attended over here. Then, she went to ask the most awaited question of the interview, do you think your fiance can support you? I said yes, of course. Without even waiting for my explanation she then asked what i plan on doing when i get to the states. I said, since i have a nursing license in new york, i plan on working there after the wedding. She pretty much just wanted to hear that i can work and i won't be a burden to the taxpayers of the United States of America. haha After that, she said "Congratulations on your wedding! Your visa is approved!" I was elated and i couldn't believe it. I went to the releasing area with a HUGE smile on my face! haha

NINTH: (10:15am) Releasing Area-Window 72. The guy said that i'm all good and that i should just wait for my visa at home. Wohoooo! God is good!

I have written this account to give hope to those who are going through the same process as me and my fiance did. Co-sponsorship is not totally banned at the USEM. All they really need to have you guys prove is that you/your fiancee/fiance won't be a public charge later on when you/he/she get/s to be in the states.

Again, i say, all of these is the work of a great and mighty God. He made all things possible for me and my fiance to be together after 3 long years of being apart. When you put your faith in Him, He will guide you through it and give you the wisdom to accomplish all of these. Trust in Him and He will never let you down!

God Bless you guys! My prayers are with you!

(Philippians 1:6) "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

I was just able to schedule my fiancee's appointment on October 3! Woohoooooo finally!!!

Congratulations!