My interview experience at the US Embassy, Manila

Yesterday, October 6, 2009 at exactly 7:23 AM. I arrived at the US Embassy Manila to have my interview for my immigrant visa. I presented my appointment letter at the first access booth going inside. The guard asked for my appointment letter and a valid I.D. Then I proceed to the main entrance wherein I was asked to put my bag in the Xray machine. Electronic devices are not allowed inside so I didn't bring my cellphone. I have my alcohol as disinfectant and my perfume identified at the xray machine so the lady guard asked me to bring them out. She asked me to try them, you know.. she is probably thinking I can use it for terrorism purposes. lol

I followed the blue arrow that guided me to the Immigrant visa unit. I proceed to the Window X, I showed to the lady my appointment letter and the lady gave me my number "6091". I waited for like an hour for my number to be flashed on the board for finger scanning but I heard my name so I proceed to window 33. I fell in line. But there there was a lady who is behind me and she has a 1 month old baby. She was asked to do the finger scanning before me. I volunteered to hold the baby . A nice black american conducted the finger scanning and after my turn, his assistant asked me to have seat and wait for my number to be flashed on the board for pre-screening. After an hour and a half, whew! my number flashed and I proceed to window 23. I had a very nice lady pre-screener. She asked me the following questions;

1.) Who is my petitioner?
2.) What does he do?
3.) How did we met?
4.) When did we start the formal relationship?
5) When did we personally see each other?
6.) When was the last time I saw him?
7.) Did he had a previous marriage?
8.) Did I have any previous marriage?

After these questions, she asked me about pictures, emails, and any proof of relationship.
I gave her the two folders, Pink and gray. I opened the folders and slid it down to the slot.
She took all of them. Then she asked me to have a seat and wait for my final moment with the consul.

I noticed almost everyone was already called, there were just like less than 20 fellows around the waiting area. I waited for like 40 minutes for my number to be flashed again. In the crepuscular of the coldness I am experiencing inside, my number was flashed bound for final interview at window 42.. Geez! but its 2 doors away from the right of window 44. Honestly I can't remember if it was really at that window since I was freezing cold, I am so out of my league, I just kept on watching in the numbers then when my number flashed, the lady who is working at the embassy to assist the applicants guided me to just seat outside of the booth and once the previous applicant comes out, I should enter. After like 3 minutes of waiting for someone to come out, the door opens and I went inside with a smile for the consul.

To my surprise, a young, american, handsome Consul greeted me"Magandang Umaga!" I greeted him back with " Magandang Umaga din po Sir" I took a seat and he asked me while he was looking at my documents, "Ikaw ba si C--- Miller", I answered, Yes Sir. He asked me to raise right hand to swear. He then begun to asked me some questions.

(while looking at my papers...)
1.) Who is my petitioner?
2.)What does he do for a living?
3.)Who is ______ ( referring to my mom in law)?
4.) Did I study in college?
5.) What course did I take?

At this time, I saw that there was a big stamp that says "approved' (probably this was from the NVC) and then he started to flip the proof of relationship folders that the pre-screener got from me, and I really want to burst into laughter when he said... "Oh! I look like your husband!", and I replied, Oh! yeah, ya'll good looking men. And the consul laugh.
After, he said, "Sandali lang", he looked at the computer, I noticed that he typed our case number... Then few seconds passed by, he said again... (still talking with american accent)" Well, Waleng probleyma ang yowng papel, Approved na ang visa mow. Welcome to United States.
My heart leaped for joy. I said, Thank you sir.

He gave me instructions to wait again for my number to be flashed on the board to window 37 for my pink slip (visa delivery form). I was about to sit down, but even before my butt touches the chair my name was called to proceed to window 47. (uh! okay.) So I fell in line, I'm the 2nd person, I payed the visa delivery fee of Php 205.00 then I walked through to Air21 booth to fill out the delivery sheet.

I walked home with a very great feeling. ;)

And hey!, just 20 secs ago, before I wrote this sentence, I just received a text from Air21 informing me that they already received my docs from US Embassy and my visa will be delivered real soon.

"It takes few ounces of patience to finally bid goodbye with a Consul"

Good luck everyone!

Preparation of Documents for my Interview

On October 6, 2009, at 8:30 I will have my interview at the US Embassy Manila.

My husband and I have been anticipating this very moment to finally put a temporary dot on my immigration process so I can finally join him in  his country, U.S.A.

I have prepared my documents so keenly to achieve a very organize appearance of everything I can show to the Consul. I also used colorful clear book folders to bring out a refreshing and joyful look.

I chose this type of folder because it has slide-in labeling portion at the back bone part where I can paste a computerized label for each folder. There is a very small open space at the bottom part of the glass between you and the Consul by the time you have your interview; that is meant for the documents you need to present. This clear book folder can be easily rolled up. If in case I need to show something, e.g Photos of us, I can just roll the whole folder up and slide it inside.

On the Light blue folder- I put all Affidavit of Support forms and Components.

On the Orange folder, I put every medical results I have in hand.

On the lime green- Its where you can find all forms we have filled out, Appointment letter, choice of agent, and every docs I have received from USCIS, NVC and more.

Inside of the Gray folder- you will see everything I have, to prove that I am legally married to my Hubby. Phone bills, cards from my hubby and mom in law, courier and postal receipts, contract of lease for our apartment, booking confirmation for our wedding reception, credit card receipts for Greg's purchases while he was still here in the Philippines, boarding passes, wedding cards for us on our wedding day, and transportation tickets.

On the Pink folder -you will find truckload of photos of Us. From the trips we made, from Greg's welcome party, pictures with my family, and more photos of us together. Plus, printscreen photos while Greg and I are talking since we don't exchange emails. Also, monthly money remittances receipts from 2007-2009, call logs history from the calls that Greg made in his Skype account, and email conversation from first 2 months of our "getting to know more" stage.

I have worked hard for this project because at this stage, there is no room for error. I get cohcoh when I know I didn't gave the best I can to make everything look properly and orderly. After all, you can win consul's decision right there and then, through your admirable work.