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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on August 3, 2011: |
giamimigio
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
1st off: U.S. Embassy Manila has gotten a make over and it's nice inside! waiting area is different as well. Early birds, the waiting area is now at the end of foot bridge closest to the embassy.
got there at 4:30 AM for 6:30 appt. few people. umbrella hawkers are in full swing. do yourselves a favor, if it looks like rain, bring an umbrella. those people will charge you for your arm or a leg. also if you cannot leave your cell phone at home because you're just that stubborn, they charge a kidney to keep it at the store. (P150)
here's a tip. don't listen to the hawkers saying this line is for tourist visas and this line is for immigrants. STAY CLOSE TO THE SIDEWALK. there is no line. the security guard will call out the appt times and tell you to line up. do yourself a favor and rush towards him. that little tip right there will save you at least an hour inside. we were literally the 1st interview and approval.
once they start letting you in, rush to the ticketing window, grab your ticket, rush in drop your stuff at window 39.
PLEASE WATCH YOUR TICKET NUMBER AT ALL TIMES AT THE SIGN BOARD! one of the reasons why it takes so long inside is because people don't understand the concept of take a ticket and wait your turn hence creating a traffic jam at the next step: finger printing. it comes in less than 5 minutes after you drop off your stuff at window 39.
then about 20 minutes later: initial interview.
stern filipino guy asked for my wife's full name. asked if i was the petitioner. asked for the CEMAR, then CRBA for our daughter, family photos and 2010 1040s and W2s. made sure that i was migrating with my family after staying here with them in PI for 3 years... (no sh*t, sherlock.) we were told to sit and wait for the final interview.
this was all done by about 7 AM. the longest wait is for the final interview because the CO doesn't start work until 8ish....
final interview: older american man speaking tagalog at first then starts to speak english after realizing the petitioner was present. he asked for my wife's parent's full names. shuffled through our paperwork. asked who the co sponsor was. said oh ok. nodded. clicked a few keys on the computer and said "that's about it, folks." you'll be given further instructions at window 70. thank you both and have a nice trip!"
window 70: they ask to see your ticket and then tell you to make sure you have filled out the 2go sheet for the visa and to proceed to window 69
window 69: they make sure your shipping info is correct and that you don't have anything to pay for and that they will send you a text message before they send out your visa to you.
THE END!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #8042