Ging's Visa Interview
The Things That Were Asked From Me During the Preliminary Interview:
- NBI Clearance - Be sure to give them the original or official copy and keep your personal copy. I wasn't able to secure a photocopy out of the original copy but they practically look just the same. They are NOT returning the original copy.
2. My BIRTH CERTIFICATE - authenticated and documented by NSO/SECPA copy.
I got two different colors...several months after the other when I ordered them at the NSO. I am not sure about NSO's "color coding" procedure, but the most recent color was green which was the one I submitted during the interview.
3. My MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE - authenticated and documented by NSO/SECPA copy.
4. Our WEDDING PHOTOS - I included our engagement, honeymoon, photos with family and friends and our most recent photos together as well! That was a plus factor on the consul ;).
5. Craig's ITR (income tax return) Form 1040, and W-2's (wage and tax statements) attached to the tax returns plus his paystubs. We submitted ITR's 2002-2004.
6. Craig's NOTARIZED AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT (Form I-134) - we submitted the original copy. We had 3 original copies just to have some extras as back ups.
The affidavit of support form should be completed by the petitioner and should always be properly notarized by a notary public. It's always safe to submit the original copy. In our case, Craig requested 3 original copies from the lawyer which was good...just to be sure we have some extras.
The Interview: (as shared by Ging)
I would like to share to you my interview experience on January 23, 2006 (Monday). My husband was with me.
3AM - Waking up time.
4AM - We were already in line at the famous PLDT waiting shed area few meters away from the US embassy premises.
5AM - The embassy guard started letting us inside the embassy premises. (on the benches). Before entering, the guard asked us the ff:
Inside the building, our line was still being followed for the submission of our 2 copies of DS156/157 forms.
NOTE: Before submitting your forms, be sure you already completely filled them up. Paste your photos on the space provided below the forms. Or else, you will be delayed and you will obviously have to step out from your line and they would require you to fill up the form with your photos on them.
I have also noticed that on the NATIONALITY portion of the form, instead of putting Filipino, you should instead put PHILIPPINES. That was what I did ahead so there was no delay on my part. I don't know exactly why because it seems to be the required answer, I guess...The guy there receiving the forms would let you change your answer if you wrote there Filipino...
6:20AM - The guy at Window X started calling my name, then asked me to confirm if I already payed at the bank for the visa application fee, which I affirmed. He didn't ask to see my payment slip. He gave me #7016. (This was my queue number on the board).
7:30Am - My preliminary interview with a Filipino consul at window 20. My husband was with me at the said window. Here is what happened:
Me: Good morning sir! (I greeted him first since he was still busy checking my papers).
Consul: Hi, good morning, and he smiled.
Consul: So you are ______? (He confirmed my name).
Me: Yes sir. And my husband is here with me sir.
Consul: How are you sir?
Craig: I'm fine thank you sir...how about you?
Consul: Fine sir...they both smiled to each other.
Consul: Ma'am, can I have your NBI clearance, your birth certificate and your marriage certificate?
I gave him what he asked and all in SECPA copies. I gave the original copy of my NBI clearance.
Consul: When did you guys got married?
Me: October 2, 2004
Craig: at 2pm...(he butted in)..lol!
Consul: hahaha!
I then joined and we laughed all together :).
Consul: How did you meet?
Me: Online sir at ______.com website.
Consul: How many times did he visit you?
Me: This is his 5th visit.
Consul: I see. Can I see your wedding photos?
Me: Sure sir. But I'm giving you my file photos that also includes our engagement photos and honeymoon photos, will that be okay?
Consul: Yes, that would be great. He scanned them one at a time and said, "WOW, nice photos!...oh, look at that, you also have your more recent photos collection, huh?"
Me: Yes sir, thanks...
Consul: He looked at Craig and said; sir, do you have your latest ITR with you and your affidavit of support?
Craig: Sure, my wife has it...they both laughed again.
Me: Sir, do you also need his recent paystubs? (I asked him since I have them with me).
Consul: Oh sure, that would be even better if you have them.
Consul: Sir, where do you work?
Craig: I work with the Federal government just like you.
Consul: Oh, yeah?
Craig: Yes, plus I do part time jobs with other big organizations so I guess my finances is more than enough to support my wife?...
Consul: Oh, yes sir, you can support actually more than 30 people coz you're way much much more than the poverty level. Your wife is a lucky girl!
Craig: No, I am the lucky one to have her.
Me: We are both lucky to have each other :).
After that, Craig and the consul ended their chat talking about Manny Pacquiao...LOL!
Consul: Ok ma'am, sir, that is all what I can ask right now. Just take your seats and just wait for your name to be flashed again at the queue board.
Me and Craig: Thank you.
He gave back to me my 2 visa photos I submitted at St. Luke's. I was just wondering about this, but I guess it wasn't a problem at all. He also gave me a small clear plastic bag which in the end would be used for placing my passport inside. (At first I thought it was just a trash...lol!)
I also noticed that he gave me back my passport and my appointment letter as I need to present them in every window I go to.
7:45AM - My number was flashed to Window 37 for fingerprinting. The lady asked my passport and my appointment letter again. I was done with the fingerprinting in less than a minute. The lady gave me back my passport and appointment letter and took our seats to wait for the next window.
8:10Am - My number was flashed to window 31 for my final interview with the American consul. Craig described him as the consul with a crooked eyebrow because he doesn't smile and doesn't care to look at me at all. He wasn't the terror type though.
Consul: Good morning.
Me: Good morning sir, I am with my husband.
Consul: Good to see you sir, but since this is her interview, you don't need to answer any questions.
Craig: Fine sir. I can just sit here at the corner.
Good thing the consul didn't request Craig to go out...thank God for that, or else, I would be tensed like crazy, LOL!
Consul: Ok, please raise your right hand and swear that all you tell is the truth...blah, blah...
Me: I raised my right hand and answered yes to all he said...
So these are the questions he asked me:
How long have you been married?
How and when did you meet?
When did you first start communicating online?
When was his first visit?
How many times did he visit you?
Is he divorced?
How many times?
Does he have any kids?
How old?
Does his kid live with him?
What's his job?
Have you been married before?
Do you have any kids?
Have you been to any country before?
I noticed that he was carefully scrutinizing my marriage certificate and birth certificate, and also Craig's divorce decrees. I guess he was checking for consistencies.
Consul: Okay, so I think your papers are in good order so please wait for your name to be called.
I wanted to be sure so I asked him...sir, am I approved?
He didn't confirm but repeated his statement again and said, well, your papers are in good order so just wait for your number to be called again.
He didn't give me back my passport, but instead asked me if they gave me a clear plastic bag, so I gave him that. He then placed my passport inside the bag.
8:30AM - My number was flashed at window 35. The lady gave back our photos, and I also saw the ever famous green and white stripe paper on top of my papers that says IV APPROVED! So, I whispered to my husband, "I think we are approved!" Then we hugged each other...lol! The lady gave me a pink paper and a Delbros information sheet to fill up for the address for my visa delivery. She instructed us to go to Gate 4 and pay the Delbros visa fee delivery. I submitted my filled up Delbros form and payed the fee of 165 pesos.
8:45AM - We were all done. We were so happy and thankful with my hubby and we both said "Thank You Lord, You were with us today."
3AM - Waking up time.
4AM - We were already in line at the famous PLDT waiting shed area few meters away from the US embassy premises.
5AM - The embassy guard started letting us inside the embassy premises. (on the benches). Before entering, the guard asked us the ff:
- my appointment letter and 1 valid ID. (I showed my PRC license card)
- my husband's passport (since he was with me)
Inside the building, our line was still being followed for the submission of our 2 copies of DS156/157 forms.
NOTE: Before submitting your forms, be sure you already completely filled them up. Paste your photos on the space provided below the forms. Or else, you will be delayed and you will obviously have to step out from your line and they would require you to fill up the form with your photos on them.
I have also noticed that on the NATIONALITY portion of the form, instead of putting Filipino, you should instead put PHILIPPINES. That was what I did ahead so there was no delay on my part. I don't know exactly why because it seems to be the required answer, I guess...The guy there receiving the forms would let you change your answer if you wrote there Filipino...
6:20AM - The guy at Window X started calling my name, then asked me to confirm if I already payed at the bank for the visa application fee, which I affirmed. He didn't ask to see my payment slip. He gave me #7016. (This was my queue number on the board).
7:30Am - My preliminary interview with a Filipino consul at window 20. My husband was with me at the said window. Here is what happened:
Me: Good morning sir! (I greeted him first since he was still busy checking my papers).
Consul: Hi, good morning, and he smiled.
Consul: So you are ______? (He confirmed my name).
Me: Yes sir. And my husband is here with me sir.
Consul: How are you sir?
Craig: I'm fine thank you sir...how about you?
Consul: Fine sir...they both smiled to each other.
Consul: Ma'am, can I have your NBI clearance, your birth certificate and your marriage certificate?
I gave him what he asked and all in SECPA copies. I gave the original copy of my NBI clearance.
Consul: When did you guys got married?
Me: October 2, 2004
Craig: at 2pm...(he butted in)..lol!
Consul: hahaha!
I then joined and we laughed all together :).
Consul: How did you meet?
Me: Online sir at ______.com website.
Consul: How many times did he visit you?
Me: This is his 5th visit.
Consul: I see. Can I see your wedding photos?
Me: Sure sir. But I'm giving you my file photos that also includes our engagement photos and honeymoon photos, will that be okay?
Consul: Yes, that would be great. He scanned them one at a time and said, "WOW, nice photos!...oh, look at that, you also have your more recent photos collection, huh?"
Me: Yes sir, thanks...
Consul: He looked at Craig and said; sir, do you have your latest ITR with you and your affidavit of support?
Craig: Sure, my wife has it...they both laughed again.
Me: Sir, do you also need his recent paystubs? (I asked him since I have them with me).
Consul: Oh sure, that would be even better if you have them.
Consul: Sir, where do you work?
Craig: I work with the Federal government just like you.
Consul: Oh, yeah?
Craig: Yes, plus I do part time jobs with other big organizations so I guess my finances is more than enough to support my wife?...
Consul: Oh, yes sir, you can support actually more than 30 people coz you're way much much more than the poverty level. Your wife is a lucky girl!
Craig: No, I am the lucky one to have her.
Me: We are both lucky to have each other :).
After that, Craig and the consul ended their chat talking about Manny Pacquiao...LOL!
Consul: Ok ma'am, sir, that is all what I can ask right now. Just take your seats and just wait for your name to be flashed again at the queue board.
Me and Craig: Thank you.
He gave back to me my 2 visa photos I submitted at St. Luke's. I was just wondering about this, but I guess it wasn't a problem at all. He also gave me a small clear plastic bag which in the end would be used for placing my passport inside. (At first I thought it was just a trash...lol!)
I also noticed that he gave me back my passport and my appointment letter as I need to present them in every window I go to.
7:45AM - My number was flashed to Window 37 for fingerprinting. The lady asked my passport and my appointment letter again. I was done with the fingerprinting in less than a minute. The lady gave me back my passport and appointment letter and took our seats to wait for the next window.
8:10Am - My number was flashed to window 31 for my final interview with the American consul. Craig described him as the consul with a crooked eyebrow because he doesn't smile and doesn't care to look at me at all. He wasn't the terror type though.
Consul: Good morning.
Me: Good morning sir, I am with my husband.
Consul: Good to see you sir, but since this is her interview, you don't need to answer any questions.
Craig: Fine sir. I can just sit here at the corner.
Good thing the consul didn't request Craig to go out...thank God for that, or else, I would be tensed like crazy, LOL!
Consul: Ok, please raise your right hand and swear that all you tell is the truth...blah, blah...
Me: I raised my right hand and answered yes to all he said...
So these are the questions he asked me:
How long have you been married?
How and when did you meet?
When did you first start communicating online?
When was his first visit?
How many times did he visit you?
Is he divorced?
How many times?
Does he have any kids?
How old?
Does his kid live with him?
What's his job?
Have you been married before?
Do you have any kids?
Have you been to any country before?
I noticed that he was carefully scrutinizing my marriage certificate and birth certificate, and also Craig's divorce decrees. I guess he was checking for consistencies.
Consul: Okay, so I think your papers are in good order so please wait for your name to be called.
I wanted to be sure so I asked him...sir, am I approved?
He didn't confirm but repeated his statement again and said, well, your papers are in good order so just wait for your number to be called again.
He didn't give me back my passport, but instead asked me if they gave me a clear plastic bag, so I gave him that. He then placed my passport inside the bag.
8:30AM - My number was flashed at window 35. The lady gave back our photos, and I also saw the ever famous green and white stripe paper on top of my papers that says IV APPROVED! So, I whispered to my husband, "I think we are approved!" Then we hugged each other...lol! The lady gave me a pink paper and a Delbros information sheet to fill up for the address for my visa delivery. She instructed us to go to Gate 4 and pay the Delbros visa fee delivery. I submitted my filled up Delbros form and payed the fee of 165 pesos.
8:45AM - We were all done. We were so happy and thankful with my hubby and we both said "Thank You Lord, You were with us today."