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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on December 21, 2015: |
Teachers
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I was lucky to be in Manila when my fiancé had her interview, so we went together. Our appointment was for 7:30. We got in line at 7:15. Ask for the K1 line; if you don’t you’ll wait in a MUCH longer line outside the first checkpoint forever for no reason. We got admitted to the building about 7:45. Then a second line to get one’s processing number (number for place in the que) at 8:15. We then sat in a shaded area with seats outside until about 9:15, when we were admitted to the Embassy building proper. After that it was one long line after another, standing almost all the time.
The interview itself was very short. The big weakness in our application was my multiple divorces. While I had all the divorce documents in order with the I-129, it was checked multiple times. My fiancé and I did not flinch, just told it as it is. This was accepted. Make sure you have all the support evidence in your original application. We have heard the affidavit of support is particularly important. Fortunately, we had it well documented. Then things are likely to go smoothly. As we waited our turn, we saw many applicants walk away with smiles on their faces, presumably approved. The only 2 we saw who had problems either had significant missing documentation, or were argumentative with the interviewer – NOT a smart move.
The interviewer was polite and professional, striking a good balance of protecting the U.S., while putting the fiancé at ease, as much as possible. It was over in less than 5 minutes, with the interviewer telling us the visa is approved, about 11:30. After that there is one more step, telling where the visa is to be sent, etc.
Note that the entire process shuts down for lunch, 12:00-1:00. Remember where you are in line – talk with those around you about 11:45, so everyone agrees on the line order for when you return after lunch.
Also, spread the word about the CFO! There was a woman who was approved right before us. She already had a plane ticket (and I think wedding plans) for less than 3 weeks after the interview. If we hadn’t told her about the CFO, she would have missed her flight and wedding! Fortunately she was able to schedule her CFO in time. Now we have to hope she gets her visa promptly.
Our visa arrived in Tacloban 9 days after the interview. We hope you are as lucky.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #18607