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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on May 28, 2014: |
KrisandNika
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I was scheduled for an interview last May 19 of 2014, Monday at 7:30am and was greeted by a lot of lines. You need to be very careful in where you are lining up. Just go up to the security guard to assist you as to where you should line up. Different lines for different types of Visa. (K1, Tourist etc.) Here's my timeline/experience:
6:00am - Arrived at the embassy (Prepared my appointment confirmation letter, 1st page only as well as my Passport)
7:30am - I got in the embassy. Security check. Make sure no electronic devices are with you.
7:45am - First window I was advised to hand my appointment confirmation letter inside and I was given a number. This is not a first come first serve basis. You need to be very keen in watching the numbers as your number may flash any second. No need to worry about food, there's a small table with snacks. (Sandwiches, drinks, biscuits etc.)
8:00am - Bought food since I was already famished and waited for my number to flash.
8:30am - I got called for my first consul interview, an American. Asked for my biometrics, who my petitioner was and my birth date. We had a typo on my birth date when my fiance filed our I-129f. Luckily, USCIS told us that it is not an issue. We just need to inform the consul upon interview which I did. He scribbled on a post it and placed it on top of our documents/folder and was told that he'll inform my next interviewer to update my birth date on my records. After that, I was advised to go back and wait.
10:00am - I got called for my 2nd interview with a Filipina consul. This time, questions are more personal. She asked how we met which was about 10 years ago and asked more questions about our past. It was a bit tough recalling because I got scared that my answers my not be consistent but I managed. She asked again who my petitioner was. Her work/job. What was it like meeting my fiance for the first time. And how I felt. After that she made me go back to my chair and wait again.
11:00am - I got called for my final interview with an American consul. He is a bit strict. I was asked again who my petitioner was. Her job. The first time we met. He made me describe the chat room where we first met because he couldnt believe at first that there was such a thing. It was a chat room in yahoo called My Music where all musically inclined people get together sing/play musical instruments. He asked if Im gonna be a musician when I get to the states. I said no because its just a hobby playing my guitar and then he asked me where my gigs are etc. That was actually very funny. After that I saw him grab some photos and I noticed, those were the photos that my fiance submitted. He took one picture and asked me where it was and I said its in Times Square, Hong kong. After that he asked again my fiance's job then after that he said "I think I have no more questions. So, I will approve this." And I automatically thanked him! I wanted to scream but tried to hold everything in! He asked me to wait again to be called for the releasing of papers.
12:00noon - It was lunch time so we were asked to take our lunch first and go back at 1pm.
1:00pm - I was called right away for the releasing and they double checked my papers again and told me that everything was fine and to go to the next window for my delivery details of my VISA. Since I already put online that I want to have it delivered on my doorstep, the girl on the window didnt ask anything more and that i may leave! yayyy!
All in all it was an excruciating wait! It really was. All these stress plus getting hungry/thirsty at the same time while trying to focus on the flashing numbers was really exhausting. But you know what? It was worth it.  We were there at 6am but everyone was almost done before 3pm. And in all fairness, it was still a pretty fast job from the embassy so KUDOS!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #14531