Oct 3, 2007. It was 6:30am when we (me & Yoanna) went to US Embassy gate & have ourselves in line with other applicants. It was raining & there were a lot of visa applicants. The guard called the attention of applicants who have kids 5 yrs old & below. They gave us a priority line since it was raining continuously.

We got inside the immigration office passed 7am. As we took our seat, another Filipino announced all the K1 & K3 applicants with kids 5yrs old & below to fall in line for the submission of DS Forms. I took out from my bag the first clear holder which has all our DS Forms & bank receipts. I have it arranged in this manner;

• - Appointment Letter
• - DS 156K – Filled Out (Handwritten)
• - DS 156 – Filled Out on-line, with bar code & glued pictures (3 pages)
• - DS 157 – Filled Out (handwritten) with bank validation.
• - Second Copy of DS 156, filled out online with barcode & glued pictures
• - Second Copy of DS157 not validated with Bank

The bank receipts were returned to me. The Filipina staff checked it only.

As I returned to our seat, I took my second clear holder from my bag which holds all the primary supporting documents that will be submitted to the pre-screener. While preparing, our number called for the pre-screening. At first I got confused since I haven’t had my finger scanning yet. Though I observed the finger scanning section were filled with some applicants too.

You can check this link for the complete list of the documents I prepared.

On the way going to the pre-screener window, I felt quit relief since it’s the same window of the other applicant whom I met earlier. She told me that the pre-screener was nice to her though she had soft voice – hardly to hear from the other side of the window.

I let Yoanna, my 2 yr old daughter, to stand on the chair (at the side of the window) while I placed my folders in front of the pre-screener – a) the clear holder with supporting documents; b) the hardbound folder for proof of relationship.

The pre-screener required documents (from my clear holder)

1. Birth Certificate (K1&K2)
2. NBI Clearance
3. Other Country’s Police Report
4. Affidavit of Support
5. 2006 Federal Tax (Income Tax Return)
6. 2006 W2s
7. Copy of Divorced paper
8. CENOMAR

While getting those documents the pre-screener was asking me the following questions;

1. Who is the petitioner?
2. How we meet?
3. How long I work in Bahrain?
4. How long my fiancé stay in Bahrain?
5. How long we live together in Bahrain?
6. How many times we visit the Phils together?

Then she asked me the proofs of relationship. When she told me to give her picture of us together, I let her watched me as I browse my folder. Then I pulled out;

1. Picture during the first 3 months of the relationship
2. Picture of Oct 2006 & July 2007 Phils vacation
3. Picture of Engagement Party
4. Engagement Pictorial (Pre-Nuptial)
5. Greeting Cards (w/ their envelopes)

The pre-screener asked Yoanna who’s in the picture (pointing to my fiancé). Yoanna replied, “Daddy ko” (my daddy).

Then she asked her again, this time pointing in her own picture with my fiancé. My Yoanna cutely replied, “Me”.

Finally we’re done with the pre-screener, she then told me to wait to be called for the finger scanning. After few minutes my name was called to fall in line in Window 16 for finger scanning.

Then after 10 minutes, I was called to proceed in Window 22 for the interview of Consul Officer (CO).

The Filipino staff directed us to the CO cubicle & let us waits on the chairs outside since there’s still an applicant inside. While waiting, Yoanna asked for a biscuit. Again, I reminded her of the possible questions the CO might ask her. A lady with 3 kids went out from the cubicle and the lady’s face seems seriously confused as if she doesn’t know if they were approved or not. I didn’t let that to put myself to be more anxious.

I greeted “Good Morning” as I took my sit. Yoanna took her own sit too. The CO asked me to raise my right hand, a sign that we’re about to start on the interview session. Yoanna stood up with a biscuit on the right hand & showed her face on the CO’s window as if she was confused on what’s happening. The CO smiled & asked her – “You want to raise your right hand too?“ Yoanna moved her head, telling the CO – “Yes“. Yoanna raised her left hand and I immediately corrected it. I told Yoanna to transfer the biscuit on the other hand.

The CO smiled again.

He didn’t ask more documents from me (neither proof of relationship) although my folder of proofs of relationship was in front of me.

When he started asking, he was returning the pictures & greeting cards I gave to the pre-screener. The CO asked me the following questions;

1. Tell me something about the petitioner.
2. Tell me about your work?
3. Tell me about your work in Bahrain?
4. So, you were never been married?
5. What’s the reason on the divorce of the previous marriage of your fiancé?
6. Where’s the biological father of my daughter? Still communicating?

On the latter part of our session, he was more on reviewing our file and I felt so relief seeing his face calmly as he browsed our papers. Then I saw he stamped on it. I didn’t see if that stamp indicated that we’re approved. So, after he told me to go back in the waiting area, I asked him if we were approved. He answered, “Yes! Definitely!”

Then I gave him the letter prepared by my fiancé requesting for the visa pick-up. He asked me why we want to pick-up the visa. I told him that it’s quite difficult to locate our house and the delivery man who recently sends the Packet 4 took a hard time locating to our house. Then the CO checked the attached flight itinerary. He told me, “We will check on this.” After 10 minutes sitting on the waiting area with full smile, my name was called on Window 37. The Filipino staff confirmed that our request for visa pick-up was also approved. He then asked, me when I want to have it.

Oct 4, 2007 at exactly 3:30pm I received a call from US Embassy informing me that our passports with visas are ready for pick-up the next day.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

We knew that it’s not advisable to arrange flight details (purchased tickets) before interview in US Embassy / not having the visa on hand yet. We knew that it’s very risky, though my fiancé & I we’re confident on our case. At the same time, we’re willing to undertake any possible circumstances upon the interview result.

That’s why my fiancé purchased the tickets 21 days after the interview schedule, which we considered ample time for any possible problem to arise.

*check “cat.1: Annie in Phils to USA” for more related links

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