Ging's K3 Visa Interview - US Embassy, Manila

(As shared by Ging.)

I would like to share to you my interview experience on Jan.23, 06, (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:

my appointment letter and 1 valid ID. (I showed my PRC license card).

my husband's passport (since he was with me)

6am - The guard started to called us up by batch to enter inside the US embassy building. All our things are being passed on to the Xray machine. We were then required to leave our cellphones behind and 1 valid ID by a lady who inturn gave us a number for claiming them later.

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, if not, 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's what I did ahead so there was no delay on my part. I don't know 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...

620am - The guy at Window X started calling our names, then asked us to confirm if I already payed at the bank for the visa application fee, I said yes....He gave me # 7016. (This was my queue number on the board).

730am - 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 reading my papers.
Consul: Hi, good morning. And he smiled.
Consul: So you are ________? (He confirmed my name.)
Me: Yes, sir.
Me: My husband is here with me sir.
Consul:How are you sir?
Husband: 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 my BC and MC all in SECPA copies, and my NBI certificate.

Consul: When did you guys got married?
Me: October 24, 2004
Husband: at 2pm...(he butted in... )
Consul: hahaha!
The three of us started laughing together.
Consul: How did you meet?
Me: Online sir @ _____.com website
Consul: How many times did he visit you?
Me: This is his 5th visit sir.
Consul:IC. Can I see your wedding photos?
Me: Sure sir. But I'm giving you my file photos that also includes our engagement photos and other recent photos we have, 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 my hubby and said; sir, do you have your latest ITR with you and your affidavit of support?
Husband: Sure, my wife has it...they both laughed again.
Me: Sir, do you also need his recent paystubs? (I asked him since I have it with me.)
Consul: Oh sure, that would be even better if you have them.
Consul: Sir, where do you work?
Husband: I work with the Federal government just like you.
Consul: Oh yeah?
Husband: 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!
Husband: No, I am the lucky one to have her.
Me: Yes, we are both lucky to have each other.
After that, my hubby and him ended their chit-chats talking about Manny Paquiao...LOL!
Consul: Ok ma'am and 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 Husband: Thank you.

He returned to me my 2 visa photos that I submitted at St Lukes. Was just wondering bout this, but I guess it wasn't a problem at all. He also gave me a small cellophane 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.

745am - 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. Gave back the passport and appoitnment letter again and took our seats and wait for the next window.

810am - My number was flashed to Window 31 for my final interview with the American consul. My husband described him as the consul with a crooked eyebrow bcoz 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.
Husband:Fine sir.

My husband wasn't told to go out though...thank God for that, or else, my nervousness would be worst..LOL. He was just beside me listening.

Consul: Ok, pls raise your right hand and swear that all you tell is the truth..blah and blah...
Me: Yes sir.

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 my hubby'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 just 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 cellophane bag, and so I gave him that. He placed my passport inside the bag.

830am - 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! Then, 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.

845am - 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." 845am - 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." 

Ging's K3 Visa

Ging's Philippine Passport

Ging's Passport Certification

According to Ging, she wasn't sure why she had this document,  but perhaps it was because she wanted to be sure she has to have it  as a back up :); but so far, we didn't use it and was not needed at her interview. But for some who thinks who might want to know how it looks like and for those who really needs to get one, we are sharing it!  

If you were requested by the embassy to go to Pavilion 4 and they give you this pink slip, (photo below) that means your visa will be coming soon! Of course, your passport will be held back because the visa will be attached on your passport. You will be paying the fee to DELBROS, the US embassy's official courier. The pink slip will be attached to the OR (official receipt) and Delbros' authorization letter, which will be given to you at the same time with your passport and visa, once Delbros will deliver it to you. 

This is the DELBROS OR (official receipt) that comes with your passport with visa in it. The passport will be together with the sealed envelope and some instructions and informations (comes in leaflets) on what to do in getting your CFO stamp.

The sealed envelope, contains the data sheet of your medical results from St. Luke's. Your are NOT ALLOWED to open it, and it should be given at the immigration officer at your port of entry (POE).

(FRONT PAGE)

This is the authorization letter from DELBROS. You have to fill this up when you are letting other person recieve your visa in your behalf when you're not around to receive it. This comes together with the pink slip that the embassy gave you  after you pay your visa fee at Pavilion 4.

(BACK PAGE)