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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #24778
Manila, Philippines Review on October 4, 2018:

kennharv




Rating: 		Review Topic: K1 Visa

Junrey's interview was 9/24/2018. I attended with him. I thought we were well prepared and had everything in order. I was wrong. This was an adventure.
Couple of things first. Everything at the embassy was well organized, professional, and friendly.
The appointment was scheduled at 6:10AM and we lined up around 5:45. We had the appointment confirmation that allowed us to get in line, but we did not have the application confirmation. Junrey had completed the application so I was unfamiliar with the confirmation page that had his picture on it. They gave us the website to get it and gave us until 9:00AM to come back with it. I had rented an Airbnb condo across the street and so we went there to get what we needed. Junrey saw the document online and said "I've got that". We had it all along. So back to the embassy (7:30AM). Got to go to front of the line. We were then allowed into the embassy and waited our turn for pre-interview. In the pre-interview stage it was determined that some how Junrey had paid for a K1 visa but attached it to the tourist application he had made 2 years prior. She was confused how he did, but needed a K1 visa application. She gave until 10AM to get a K1 visa completed. Back to the condo (around 8:30AM at this time). We started to complete the online application (very slow if you are in hurry). About half way through a message was issued "timeout - click ok to continue for additional 20 minutes". It timed out anyway. We could have accessed that application if we had written it down. We started over, but immediately wrote down the application number. We finished the application and fortunately I had his picture to upload into the application on my laptop.
It is now 9:15AM but no printer. Saved confirmation page to USB memory card and went to find printer. The computers were out at the first internet shop we found. We found a print shop in the next block that was able to print it out for us. Back to the Embassy, bypassed all the lines and to the pre-interview window. A USB memory card (I didn't have on first time through) is not allowed in. US citizens are allowed to check in electronic devices by going through a different door. I gave them my driver's license and the usb that I picked up on the way out. Cleared pre-interview window. Then finger printing of Junrey. Then wait for interview. Interview questions: (Junrey was extremely nervous) How did you meet? When did you first meet in person? Wedding plans? Junrey said we would get marriage license and get married the next week. CO wanted details of the wedding. Some how Junrey couldn't verbalize that it would be courthouse wedding with just the 2 of us. Tell me something that just you and your fiancé know? CO then said "I'm going to recommend approval". I believe that the statement "Recommend approval" vs. "Is approved" puts you in administrative processing. We were in "Administrative processing" for 10 days with status changing to "Issued" on October 4th.
Overall the embassy went out of their way to help us and we were able to get it done.

We will now schedule CFO class and book airfare as soon as visa is in hand

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