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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on September 15, 2019: |
caroline.horner
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My husband and I arrived at the Embassy at 6:09 a.m. We got inside at 7:00. My barcode sticker wasn’t on the directory so the first thing we had to do was hand my DS-260 to one of the ushers (people in a blue shirt) and after 20 minutes, I got my barcode sticker and I was instructed to line up in section A.
First Step: PRESCREENING (Filipino Visa Officer)
I was assigned to Window 37. The officer was Filipina. She was very nice and pleasant. First, I handed her all of my civil documents such as:
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
CENOMAR (Advisory on Marriage)
NBI clearance
SLEC Medical results*
Passport
*SLEC forwarded my medical results to the embassy for me. I simply notified the Officer when she asked for my results and she stepped out to get it
(Have these ready before you’re called to have a smooth experience. Bring all the EXACT and ORIGINAL copies of the ones you uploaded to CEAC)
The Officer only verified a few things with me like:
my full name
date of marriage
my parents’ names
my current address here in the Philippines
mobile number
email address
previous marriages (if there were any)
kids (if my husband and I have any already).
And then she asked my husband who was right beside me what his relationship was to out joint sponsor/household member.
This step is probably the longest of all the other steps. Waiting in line took almost an hour. For the prescreening itself, it only took us about 10 mins. My advise is for you to have ALL your documents organized already to avoid rummaging through your files, taking up too much time. The more complete and organized your documents are, the faster you’ll get to move to the next step.
2nd step: BIOMETRICS (American Consul)
At Window 51, the Consul took my fingerprints after asking what my name and birthday was. Took about 1-2 mins.
3rd and final step: Interview (American Consul)
The consul greeted me. Asked for my barcoaded DS-260 and proceeded to ask questions. The questions he asked me were:
About my husband:
Who is your petitioner?
How long have you been married?
What’s his job?
How did you meet?
How many times has he visited you?
Does he have any previous marriages?
Does he have any kids?
He handed me two pamphlets and explained to me how to ask for help in the US in case of any instances of domestic violence and then he asked me to raise my right hand and swear that everything I’ve said (and about to say) throughout the interview is the truth.
About me:
Do you have any previous marriages?
Do you have any kids?
Have you ever travelled outside the Philippines?
The consul was very nice and friendly! We exchanged a few laughs in between the questions and then, finally, he said “I am recommending your Visa for approval. Please register your mailing address through the steps here (pointing to the tiny pamphlet my left-hand side) and expect your visa to be delivered in 2-3 weeksâ€.
Status on CEAC tracker: ISSUED (12:32pm)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #27069