My Fiancee Petition Experience Part 2

THE EMBASSY INTERVIEW

May 13, 2005

Interview at the U.S Embassy, brought all the original and photocopies of the following ( go over the checklist that the embassy sent you ) :

• my NSO issued birth certificate

• photocopy of my fiance’s US Passport

• my NBI clearance

• some forms from the embassy ( i don’t remember what they were)

• police clearances from all places and countries lived since age 16, in my case I had to secure a police clearance from Taiwan with the help of MECO in Makati, paid 400php for the service. I also secured police clearances from all the places i lived in like towns, cities since I was 16 years old, as compliance to the embassy requirement

• supporting evidences : pictures (in small,thin albums only) , emails ( with printouts of our conversations with webcam screens which I pasted and printed thru paint application ), any proof of meeting in person in the last two years prior to filing

• notarized affidavit of support from my fiance with his supporting evidences again: Form I-134 (with recent letter of employment stating current income , tax forms W2 for the last 3 years, bank statements if applicable )

• and most importantly, my passport where they will laminate the visa

I breezed throughout the interview, was fortunate enough that all those people at the US embassy were very kind to me and didn’t give me a hard time. I was even amazed at how fast my papers were moving, like after being called at one booth, I’d be called again for the next one. all the other applicants were already complaining why I was the only one being called again and again and not them, I can only marvel at how God was working . That time I knew He was giving me another miracle to remember, that He wants me to know that He cares deeply about me. The consul did not even give me a hard time with his questions. He just asked me when and how I met my fiance, what his present job is, if the baby I was carrying was my fiance’s ( I was near to blurting out, “but of course sir , who else would this be ? ” )

The whole time I spent at the embassy totalled only three hours, from 7am until 10am. The others were able to go home at 1pm from what I heard from a co-applicant after I called her that day. So ladies, when you go through this petition process, it helps to really ask God for help, for patience, for guidance. If it doesn’t go well , then maybe it was not meant for us yet, not yet for the moment , but maybe later on.

HOW I KNEW THAT I PASSED

If you will ask how you will know if you passed or not, the last person on the booth that you will go to will not tell you anything, they will simply tell you to wait for the visa since they have no idea if you passed or not. In my case, I had a feeling that I passed the interview because while I was talking to this last lady, I happened to glance at my folder that she held and there i saw “IV approved ” ( I guess, IV means immigrant visa).

RECEIVED MY VISA, YIPPEEE !!!

May 18, 2005

Five days after the embassy interview, I received my visa through Fedex. I did not pay anything for its delivery though some said that they were made to pay. Hmmn, only proves that God is good eh? Along with my visa, I also received a packet from the embassy that must never be opened. Please do not open that packet because only an immigration official will open it when you get to your port of entry .

THE CFO SEMINAR

May 23, 2005- attended the CFO seminar at a place, something like Good Shepherd (?) somewhere near an MRT station, I just can’t seem to remember where it was coz I was doing everything in a rush. I paid a fee for that seminar, they said it was donation but it wasn’t actually since it was a set fee, maybe about P300.00. Why it was held there, again, I don’t know, I don’t know too where that money we paid there will go. Anyway, at that seminar, we just watched a video of some battered Filipinas after they immigrated to some foreign countries and after that video show, we were herded to another room where a lady talked about what America is like when we get here. Anyways after some hours spent there and after I got my certificate ( was that a certificate or something else? ) , I hurriedly went to another CFO office near Quirino Avenue in Malate , Manila where I was made to pay again , another P250.00. I felt I was being scammed actually but what can I do, I needed that CFO stamp on my passport before I can be allowed to leave the country. CFO ek ek… just a ruse to get money from us actually , if I may say so.

THE PLANE TICKET

I forgot what date it was that I got my plane ticket. A tip though for those of you who will be buying your plane tickets in the Philippines , which is cheaper by the way, scout around for lower rates. Ortigas and Makati rates are quite high. Go try Binondo, call the Binondo booking offices and then ask for discounts. Practice your haggling powers, they do give in sometimes …

When you buy your plane ticket , give info re your port of entry, flight schedule, seat number and remember to double check if they got it right, most especially after getting your ticket. You don’t want to end up in LA when your fiance is waiting for you at the San Francisco Airport , do you? Check it right after you get your ticket… it is better to be sure..

AT MY PORT OF ENTRY

May 27, 2005- finally arrived in chilly San Francisco, my port of entry, at around 5pm. Don’t forget to fill up I194 at the plane, because you will need it at the port of entry. The form will be distributed by the sterwardess inside the plane. I filled out two forms, an I194 and I forgot what the other was. Be sure to ask for it from the stewardess.

At the customs, when I fell in line at the immigrant section, I was only told to present my passport and the packet which the embassy has given me along with the visa/passport. In my case I wasn’t asked to present the xray and the vaccination supplement , though I don’t know if they really routinely ask for these stuffs.( Frankly I hope they don’t since I felt stupid holding on to my xray result while I was in line like it was dear life )

- The End-

Disclaimer:The information contained herein is provided as a public service with the understanding that the author makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information. What is written here is based on the author’s first hand-experience and on the many readings/research she made on the K1 process.

Update June 12, 2006:

• the US embassy in Manila has updated their list of requirements, kindly check on their site .

• CENOMAR is already required.

• Payment at the embassy is required for your visa delivery.

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I will update you of my adjustment of status in my next posts …

See related post : My Fiancee Petition Experience Part 1