Ging's Arrangement of Documents for her K3 Visa Interview:
(As shared by Ging)
I used plastic folders (each with different color covers) with sheet protectors (or plastic fillers). This is for fast pull outs and more convenient and more organized arrangements of documents according to priority of needs during the interview.
I also used one multi-pocketed plastic folder (with 6 pockets) which I bought at SM shoemart, or you can buy it mostly in bookstores. The purpose of this was to place those basic documents which are needed along the way upon entering the US embassy and until you get your turn to have your preliminary interview by a Filipino consul. Again, this is for the purpose of easy and faster pull outs.
Here are the documents that I placed inside my 6-pocket folder:
1. Appointment Letter for interview - I presented this to the security personnel before entering the embassy premises.
2. Valid ID - I presented my PRC card. (They usually need an ID with your photo and signature.)
3. Forms DS-156 & DS-157 (2 sets each).
4. My NBI Clearance (original copy)
5. My birth certificate & marriage certificate - (authenticated copy - NSO documented).
6. My application fee receipt (BPI)
2. Valid ID - I presented my PRC card. (They usually need an ID with your photo and signature.)
3. Forms DS-156 & DS-157 (2 sets each).
4. My NBI Clearance (original copy)
5. My birth certificate & marriage certificate - (authenticated copy - NSO documented).
6. My application fee receipt (BPI)
It is always advised to bring your application fee receipt which shows you paid at any of the banks accredited by the US embassy. It is one of the basic documents being asked, but in my case, it was asked but they never look at it. They might actually check and see it randomly, so don't forget to bring it with you.
I pulled out documents nos. 4 & 5 from my yellow folder (see photo above) and placed it in my 6-pocket folder, because it became so bulky, and it was hard for me to pull out the documents. These are the basic documents that really are needed at the preliminary interview, so be sure to pull them out fast and as convenient for you as possible. Some consuls are being irritated if you seem to be having a hard time giving them your documents, so don't give them a bad day!
Ging's Color-Coded Folders
Ging hates clutters. So, she arranged her documents according to color-coded folders :). Then, she had 5 folders in her hand the day during her interview. It was heavy carrying all of them, but it was worth it. It's just better to be fully armed than end up lacking documents!
Notice that all folders were divided into sub categories using plastic fillers and provided with side tabs on the right side for each category.
Notice that all folders were divided into sub categories using plastic fillers and provided with side tabs on the right side for each category.
FOLDER #1: - PHOTOS
When using folders with plastic fillers, it's always a good thing to use side tabs (I used green colored tabs at the sides) for easy documentation and neat organizing.
FOLDER #2 - BASIC DOCUMENTS:
Contents:
In Ging's case, she also included emails, cards and tons of phone bills, so that the folder became so heavy and bulky making it difficult to pull out any single page document from the folder.
Thus, the purpose of why she had the 6-pocket folder (see further above) where she placed those basic documents that were needed for easy pull outs.
- Ging's birth certificate
- Craig & Ging's marriage certificate (SECPA copy)
- Ging's NBI clearance
- Postal letters/cards - Ging submitted only those that she received from Craig.
- Craig & Ging's emails to each other.
- Craig & Ging's chat logs
- Craig's phone bills copies
In Ging's case, she also included emails, cards and tons of phone bills, so that the folder became so heavy and bulky making it difficult to pull out any single page document from the folder.
Thus, the purpose of why she had the 6-pocket folder (see further above) where she placed those basic documents that were needed for easy pull outs.
These are Ging's postal cards she received from Craig which she placed in her basic documents folder (yellow color). Since most of them are cards, they got bulky. It's good to wrap the cards with a thick rubber band to hold them firmly. They were never asked but it's highly recommended to bring them with you if you have them. They seem to be asking these things particularly if you're a K1 (fiance') applicant.
FOLDER #3 - EVIDENCES OF SUPPORT DOCUMENTS:
Contents:
- Craig's Notarized Affidavit of Support (Form I-134)
- Craig's 2001-2004 Income Tax Returns (Form 1040)
- Craig's wage & tax statements (W-2's) attached to his tax returns
- Craig's recent pay stubs
- Money transfer receipts (Western Union)
- Craig's employment letter and bank statements
- Craig & Ging's joint bank account and credit card statements
- Craig's Insurance Beneficary Statement showing Ging as the beneficary.
FOLDER #4 - OTHER SUPPORTING EVIDENCES OF GENUINE RELATIONSHIP & MARRIAGE:
These documents were never asked, but in anyway, Ging brought them up as a back up. It's better to be overly prepared than saying sorry at the end!...
Contents:
- Original copies of our hotel and wedding receipts
- itineraries, boarding passes/plane tickets of our trips together
- Craig's passport exit/entrance stamps (photocopies)
- fedex waybills/gift receipts addressed to Ging from Craig
- Our wedding memorabilias/mementos
FOLDER #5 - DOCUMENTS & FORMS:
These were never asked but Ging said, "just for the fun of doing it" she made it anyway for additional documents and for easy file organizing :).
FOLDER #6 - SCHOOL & WORK RECORDS:
These are Ging's compilation of all of her school credentials such as diplomas, certificates, job appointments, etc. She thought of doing this since it's one way of keeping them in a neat arrangement and filing. She had this with her during her interview as well but were never asked :).