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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on November 8, 2012: |
revtech100
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I just got back to Alaska tonight and wanted to share our experiance and some observations.
We had a 7:30 appointment on November 6 and got there at 5 am. I wouldn't do that again. Get there about 6am would be fine for getting in line.
I've read where some say that they will put your papers in order for you. Not on this day. She stepped out and yelled the order. If you missed it...oh we'll...so if you are going, the order is 156, 157, 156, 157 and then the 156k. Everybody in line was shuffling papers. Save yourself a little stress and do it that way. Also have your appointment letter ready. She handed us a ziplock and told us how to put the passport in it. The only advice here is to have your documents in order before you go.
After that, off you go to get the "number". They then direct you to the waiting area. Some advice here, make sure to sit in the fiancée section. These are not well marked (small signs that can't be seen from afar). On our day, it was all the way to the far end of the waiting section, if you sit in the wrong section, you will not be able to see your number being flashed. The greeters do a good job of doing call outs of those that hadn't responded, but just make sure you sit in the correct section. There were people who sit in the wrong section and were worried that they had been missed.
It took about two hours to get our number called. We went in for the finger prints. That took about five minutes.
We stayed inside and waited for our first screening. We got called just a few minutes before lunch. Remember they do shut down from noon to 1.
We were asked how we met, which site, how many children I had and how many times I had been to the Philippines. She then asked for the 134 and my 2011 taxes. She did not ask for pictures, emails, skyped, passport stamps, nothing else. We were then told to go to lunch and be back at 1. This was a very very nice filipina lady. This lasted maybe 3 minutes maximum.
Right at 1:00 we were called back to a different window and asked for the bpi reciept. They had forgot to ask for that. We gave it to them and returned to our seats.
About 1:30 we were called to the American Counsolur and both she and I were asked to rise our right hand and tie the oath. She aske me what I did for a living, how many times I have been to the Philippines, if I was the biological father of her son. She asked Rovie where we met, which site. She never asked to look at any documents. She made a couple of notes on the documents, closed the folder, put a rubber band oni it and said your visas are approved. Take your seat and you will be called to verify delivery. Tis took maybe two minutes.
About 2:15 we were called to the 2go window and verified that. After saying a good bye to a new friend, we were out by 2:30.
I really believe that because I was there and this was my third trip, this really helped with the process and the lack of questions or requests for documentation. I went to every window with her. We were happy, at ease and very comfortable with each other. They can see that and that, I believe, is what really made it sail through for us.
I also have to make a comment on the entire embassy staff involved in this process. These people work hard for us. I have nothing but praise for them. They put up with confusion, stressed out applicants, people unfamiliar with the paperwork and at the end of the day, the right decisions are made. If you attend with your fiancée, please offer a simple thank you to these dedicated people.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #10830