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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on September 7, 2011: |
gretchen_darren
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Started at 4 am this morning. Left at 4:50 am. Walked to embassy, arrived at 5:15 am. Walked past embassy gate 1 to embassy gate 2. Went to waiting area which is at south end of embassy area. This is where the crossover bridge is at at he south part of the embassy. Wait towards the road, not towards the back part by manila bay. It will place you farther back in line. Wait up by the bridge area.
You will be lined up in rows according to time. Expect to wait after lines set up. Make sure you are in the right line for your time and purpose.
then you go through "tent check". this is where her parents were denied access. We did paper check and passport check to enter. Here they want to see passport, appointment letter, receipt and forms ds-156, ds-156k, and ds157.
After this you go throug ha scanner into the "ticketing" area. You are in line for windows 1/2/3. Any window will do. they will look at your forms, and issue you a number. For K-1 visa expect a Regular (type IV) number. Our number was 6044. After this you go past the outside waiting area, walk to the left up the stairs through the doors. (go through the right side), make sure to press down on the latch to open the door (and it is heavy to open) Go through another screening. Purses and docs will be searched. (open and place on desk, then go through scanner.
Once through, drop off appointment letter "apck" given at the ticket window at window 39. (This is an unmanned window), do not worry, someone will pick up the forms every so often.
At this point wait for number on board. My girl did not understand the process. This is not something Filipinos are accustomed to as in America. this process makes them more nervous on the number waiting system.
First window called to was pre-screen. I kept my mouth shut, answered questions when asked. Provided forms as necessary to help gretchen. Questions I can remember:
1) who is the petitioner?
2) what is your fiancee's full name?
2a) what is your birthdate?
3) Can I have the following forms?
ds-156
ds-156k
ds-157
NBI
Cenomar
I-134
Last year's tax return
w-2
4) when did you first meet
4) how did you meet?
5) when did you first meet in person?
6) what is your fiancee's full name?
7) Is this you fiancee's second trip?
8) do you have any kids?
9) have you ever been married?
10) Has your fiance ever been married?
11) Do he have kids?
12) Have you been fingerprinted?
13) when did you arrive in Philippines?
14) how long in Philippines?
15) are those photos? (4 photo books)
16) can I see? (flip through one album a few pages)
All done with that section.
Went back and sat down. After a while Gretchen was clled to be fingerprinted.
Fingerprinting is inkless and at window 40 today. Everyone for fingerprinting is window 40 as of right now. Name, birthdate, ok let's scan your hands.
Now to sit and wait again.... and wait and wait. Long wiat this time. People are finishing up. Good sign we are near the end as well.
We get called to the "door" 69. Sit down and get sworn in. We had a lady. She joked about the file. Largest file she has ever seen. My comment was I asked about sending chat logs in. I called twice about it. they said to send it all in. She commented it took two people to bring the paperwork to the desk. She swore us in. And we answered the questions. This was not a quick and simple interview. It was long. She looked for the Divorce decree and looked at it. Commented on when my divorce was. the proceeded to ask
when we met,
first time we met in person.
When I came over this time.
has she ever been married
does she have kids
have I ever been married
has she ever travelled outside of the Philippines
has she ever lived outside of the philippines
do you know you have to marry in 90 days
when is the wedding planned
when are you planning on going to USA
ok everything looks good, you ar epproved. Congrats on coming to the USA. Please wiat for window 73 to call you.
Ma'am could we pick up visa? "What are the circumstances?" Work, her village flooded, taking college courses. We are in manila through Saturday, then in her vilalge through the 18th.
We won't have the visa printed by Friday as of this time. But I will put in an expedite for the visa to be printed and delivered to you. Thank you Ma'am, appreciate it.
window 73, everything is good, we will be issuing a visa. Please go to window 69 for delivery instructions.
Window 69 dor delivery, have to pick at local 2go branch near her home. Will not deliver to village. Will track through 2g0 website. All done and good to go. time to head out into the rain.... walked back past the screening entrance, back throught the outdoor tourism waiting area (covered), back past ticket window, then out the exit door to the area next to the "tent check". walked out the exit on the left to the exit on roxas. bought a couple of umbrellas, and went to crossover to meet her parents and catch a taxi back to the hotel. Lots of water, must have been raining right after we started the process.
took us from 4:50 am to 9:50 am. (hotel door to hotel door) Done very quickly.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #8253