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| Manila, Philippines |  Review on July 10, 2012: |
caelo
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My interview was scheduled on July 9, 2012, at 7:30 AM. I arrived at the Embassy at 7 AM. There were three lines entering the gate and the immigrants and K visa line is shorter and moving fast. By 7:20 I already got a queuing number (#6134), and had already dropped my appointment schedule, DS156 and DS157 (2 copies) and 1 copy of the DS156K at Window 39. We were asked to be seated and wait for our number to appear on the queuing board.
But as luck would have it, I am never really fortunate at anything random. I never win at raffles and bingo games... my number just never seems to get drawn. Finally at 8:45, I saw '6134' on the board and almost jumped out of my seat... I went to Window 43 for fingerprint scanning. It was a bit cold and I can\'t seem to get fingerprinting right so I was asked to rub my hands together and press on the scanner. Lesson: Take breakfast. That will give the energy and strength to press hard enough with results. If you are the type who feels cold easily, bring a light jacket.
We were asked to be seated and wait again for our number... At 9:55, I was at Window 50 for the preliminary interview. The very businesslike and strict Filipina officer asked for my birth certificate, CENOMAR, NBI clearance, BPI receipt, and affidavit of support with the supporting documents (W2, Form 1040, employment letter of my fiance and his paystubs). The questions she asked:
Who is your petitioner? How are you related to him? How did you meet? When was that? When did you meet in person? How long did he stay? How many times did he visit? All of it took just around 10 minutes, then she asked me to be seated and wait again for my number.
Now this is the looooong wait. At 12 noon we were asked to take our lunch and just be back before 1 PM. I opted to buy food from the stalls within the Embassy grounds. The choices are rather limited to snack items and were pricey. The Sabrett frank sandwich I had didn't taste good and was a bit salty but I was so hungry I ate it anyway. I didn't see the other applicants there so I suppose they went to eat outside the embassy.
Just a side observation... K1 applicants seem to be identifiable by the folders (usually clearfiles) and expandable folders that they carry. But I did saw an applicant struggling with two shopper bag's full of documents! She would've won the "Best in Evidence" award until I saw two young ladies (presumed by me to be K1 applicants too)... and they were pulling travel luggage on wheels! WOW!
The whole process did resume at 1 PM, and my number finally appeared at 1:25. The American consul at Window 60 was also very formal. I was asked to take an oath to tell nothing but the truth. His questions: Have you travelled outside the Phils. before? Have you been to the US before? Have you applied for a US visa before? What type of visa? For what purpose? Who is your fiance? Where does he live? How did you meet? Was he married before? Does he have kids? Were you married before? Do you have any kids?
Then he asked to see pictures of us. He said, "I specifically want to see pictures of you together." So I showed him the album I had made with the pictures of my fiance's visit and screenshots of pictures and comments at facebook. He was very businesslike while browsing through it until he saw a screenshot from facebook... "HE'S A SPURS FAN?!?!?!? Why would you want to have to do anything with a Spurs fan???" I finally lost my nervousness. He was clearly NOT a fan of the San Antonio Spurs. Luckily, so was my fiance. So I said, "NO, NO, NO... That was about a comment he made on his friend's profile. It was his friend who's a Spurs fan... My fiance's a DALLAS fan all the way!"
Then he said, "I think everything looks okay. Your visa's approved!"
Time for another (shorter) wait... then I was called at Window 71 for instructions regarding the delivery of the visa.
Pray without ceasing... GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!
(updated on July 10, 2012)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #9966