Consulate Review: Manila, Philippines
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
April 19, 2012 |
| Embassy Review : |
Had our K1/K2 interview April 16th. I decided to join her and her daughter for the interview, traveling from Florida on the 13th.
April 15th, we went through our documents one last time. Everything was in order.
April 16th, arrived at 5AM and got in the K1 line, probably 30 people ahead of us, eventually 100+ people behind us. Rented a chair, because her daughter (3 yr old) was very tired and insisted to be held (don't get me started...haha).
Waited until 6:30AM, the moved us to another line to pre-stage for entrance. Waited another 30 mins, we were sent through the first check, where they asked for the appointment letter (we used the email print out), payment receipt for visa, DS 156, 156K (K1 only) and 157 for both K1/K2's.
Then sent through security. FYI, you can bring bottles, formula, water, and small candies, but no other food. No electronics, of course.
Then sent through check in, where we provided the above docs, were given a number and returned the docs along with a print out. We were told to go to window 38...or was it 39(?)...(but never did, see below).
Then went through another security check point and lady met us and took our documents and told to have a seat...never went to window 38.
Waited about 30-45 minutes, called up to window where Filipina asked several questions to my Fiancée, took some documents, looked at pictures, and told us to take a seat and wait for the interview with the consulate (she didn't mention bio step). In all, the Filipina was nice, asked if I was the petitioner, and that was it for me. For my fiancée, she asked probably 6-9 questions, mostly about:
-did the father of my fiancées child know she was leaving the country? Answer: father abandoned her
-how did we meet?
-how long did she work abroad? Answer: SG, over 6 months
-was I ever married/divorced? Answer: yes
-did I have a child? Answer: Yes, 3 year old
The Filipina then stated we needed our SG police clearance...there has been quite some confusion over the SG policy for this, but it's now pretty firm. SG will do the clearance, but requires a letter from the Embassy stating that the "statutory declaration is not acceptable". The Filipina told us she would get us the letter today, and then asked us to have a seat.
Waited about 40 minutes, then was called up to the bio counter, where my fiancée did her fingerprints, answered some basic bio questions, showed her daughter's face (since she couldn't talk, prints, etc.). Then told to sit down.
Waited about 30 minutes, then called to the BIG interview with the consulate official!!!! This is it, it all comes down to this moment.
Piece of cake! It was an American lady who was very nice. She asked pretty much the same questions, and stated the same about the SG police clearance. We were done with her in less than 5 minutes, and then told to sit and wait for the exit counter. Never mentioned approval, issues, or otherwise. BUT, the fact that she said that they required the SG police clearance told me that as long as we cleared it, we were good.
Waited another 30 minutes for the exit counter. Was called up and given back the passports, the letter RE: police clearance from SG, and document stating that the only requirement from the interview was the SG clearance. Further, the man asked "how did you request the visa to be delivered, at home or you pick up at the embassy?". So, that leads me to believe that as long as the SG clearance checks out ok, we are good!! I mean, they wouldn't require you to submit ANYTHING if they were going to reject the visa application...RIGHT?? (I'm convincing myself)
So...I will save you the story about what happened with us moving forward with the SG police clearance, but PRIVATE message me if you have to do this...I can give you some pointers that will save you time and frustration!!! (chrismanilyn@yahoo.com)
All in all, we are positive and hopeful that we will be done in 1-2 months after the clearance is submitted and accepted. Sad we were not done that day, but it's not the end of the world!!!
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| Rating : |
Good |
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