Craig and Ging Online

Ging's Arrangement of Documents for her K-3 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 the documents according to priority of needs during the interview. 

I also used one multi-pocketed plastic folder (6 pockets) which I bought at SM shoemart,  (below photo) or you can buy 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 fast pull outs. 

Here are the documents that I placed inside my 6-pockets folder:

1. appointment letter - 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. NBI Clearance

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 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 looked at it. They might actually check and see it randomly, so don't forget t bring it with you.

I pulled out document nos. 4 & 5 from my yellow folder (see photo above) and placed it in my 6 pockets 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!

The things that were asked from me during the preliminary interview are the ff:

  • 1. NBI CLEARANCE - Be sure to give them the original or official copy and keep your personal copy. I wasn't able to secure a photo copy 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.


    (GREEN COLOR)



    (PINK COLOR)

    I got two different colors...several months after the other. I am not sure about NSO's "color coding" procedure, but the most recent one's color was green (far above) which is what I submitted during my 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 our friends and most recent photos as well! That was a plus factor on the consul...
    It's always a good thing to use side tabs (green color at the sides) for easy organizing.






    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. 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.


    PAGE 1


    PAGE 2

    The affidavit of support form should be completed by the petitioner (your fiance' or husband) 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.


    I arranged my documents according to folders (with color codings, LOL!) and had in 5 folders in my hand the day during my interview. It was heavy carrying them, but it was worth it. I guess it's just better to be fully armed than end up lacking documents :).



    FOLDER 1 - YELLOW COLOR

    Basic Documents



    Contents:
    • My birth certificate
    • Our marriage certificate (SECPA copy)
    • My NBI Clearance
    • Postal letters/cards - I submitted only those that Craig sent me.
    • Our emails
    • Our chat logs
    • Craig's phone bills

    If your folder becomes too bulky, you might want to separate your birth, marriage (if married) and NBI clearance to a different folder that can be easily accessible. A multi-pocketed folder should be a good help.
    In my case, I 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.

    This was the purpose why I got the 6-pocket folder (see further above) where I placed those basic documents that were needed for easy pull outs.
    These are my postal letters I received from my husband which I included in the yellow folder. Since most of them are cards, they got bulky. What I did was wrapped a rubber band around them to hold them firmly. They were never asked but I suggest if you have them, you should bring them. They seem to be asking these things particularly if you're a K1 (fiance') applicant.


    FOLDER 2 - BLUE COLOR

    Evidences of Support




    Contents:

    • Notarized affidavit of support (Form I-134)
    • 2001 -2004 Income Tax Returns (Form 1040) by my husband
    • Wage & Tax Statements (W-2's) attached to his tax returns
    • Recent Pay Stubs of my husband
    • Money transfer receipts (Western Union)
    • My husband's employment letter & Bank Statements
    • Our joint bank account and credit card statements
    • Insurance beneficiary statement


    FOLDER 3 - PINK COLOR

    Other Supporting Evidences Of Genuine Relationship & Marriage

    These documents were never asked, but in anyway, I just brought it with me as a back up. It's better to be overly prepared than saying sorry at the end!....




    Contents:

    • Hotel & Wedding receipts (all original) 
    • Itineraries, boarding passes/plane tickets of my husband and me. (photocopies)
    • My husband's passport exit/entrance Stamps (photocopies)
    • Fedex waybills/gift receipts for me from my husband
    • Our wedding memorabilias/Mementos

    FOLDER 4 - PHOTOS

    I divided them into 5 categories, provided with side tabs on the right side for each category.

    Photos




    Contents:

    • Engagement Photos
    • Wedding Photos
    • Honeymoon Photos
    • Photos w/ Family & Friends
    • Most Recent Photos Together

    FOLDER 5 - ORANGE COLOR (OPTIONAL)

    These  were not asked, but I made it anyway for additional documents and for easy file organizing.

    Documents and Forms






    FOLDER 6 - (OPTIONAL)

    These are my compilation of all my school credentials such as diplomas, certificates, job appointments, etc. I thought of doing this since it's one way of keeping them in a neat arrangement and filing. I hate clutters, so, I guess it's a good idea doing it this way.

    School and Work Records