My Step-by-step K1 Visa Interview

I had my Interview last May 6, 2008 and it was a relief being done with it because it means that I am really getting nearer to be in my Hon's arms again and this time, it would be FOREVER.

Now, I am posting the steps I had fr my Interview to hopefully help those who would go through this same process.

But I must THANK first my friends who helped me out with the process and gave me the information I needed. They are Gladys, Jean Marie, and Dexie, who also went to this process and they never failed to answer every single question I have.

I know that it was never easy to apply for a US Visa, but I hope that somehow, through this steps that I am posting here which is based on my own experience would help you all.

♥MY DOCUMENTS♥

APPOINTMENT LETTER. Once you contacted the US Embassy Call Service Center to set for an Interview, they should send on your e-mail the appointment schedule you have set with them, then print it out.

PASSPORT. If you already had your medical exam, the St. Luke's should have your passport and they'd forward it together with your medical exam results to the US Embassy.

DS-156 NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION. Click here to download the form. Per applicant should complete two copies of this form.

DS-157 SUPPLEMENTAL NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION. Click here to download the form. Per applicant should complete two copies of this form. When you pay for the Visa in the bank, they would provide you a copy of this with a pink stamped on the back to indicate your payment.

DS-156K NONIMMIGRANT FIANCE(E) VISA APPLICATION. Click here to download the form. Only a K1 applicant is required to complete this form.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Your birth certificate should be a copy issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper. If applicable, you should also submit NSO birth certificates for all your children, even for those who are not applying for a visa.

NBI CLEARANCE. Applicants aged 16 years and older must have a valid Record Clearance for Travel Abroad Purposes from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Clearances should be in the applicant’s current name, birth certificate name, maiden name and any aliases or nicknames used, including different spellings you have used of those names. For immigration purposes, an NBI clearance is valid for one (1) year from the date it was issued.

CENOMAR (CERTIFICATE OF NO MARRIAGE). This can be obtained from the NSO (National Statistcis Office).

I-134 AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT FORM. The petitioner should complete this form and have it notarized. It should go with most recent U.S. Federal income tax return (Form 1040) and wage statements (Form W-2). Employment letters stating salaries and bank statements may be included. You may download this form on this link: I-134.

PHOTOGRAPHS. I had about 20 pictures. Paste them in a bond paper as put captions for each picture. Be as creative as you can so that the consul would appreciate the presentability of it. Thanks to Jean Marie for this brilliant idea that she shared with me.

ITINERARY OF FLIGHTS. My fiance forwarded me his flight itineraries so that I was able to print them out from my e-mail. This would serve as the evidence that you met each other prior to the petition.

More evidences of relationship:
PHONE BILLS.
E-MAILS AND CHAT TRANSCRIPTS.
WESTERN UNION AND SNAIL MAIL RECEIPTS.

♥PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE INTERVIEW♥

► I made sure that I have all the documents I needed for the Interview. I looked at the list of documents from this link to be sure that I didn't miss anything.
► Don't hesitate to bring extra documents such as evidence of relationships. It's better to have more than to have less, that is what I was thinking during my preparation.
► Pay for the document verification at least a month before the interview. I think this is one of the mistake I made because I was able to pay it 1 week before the Interview, that is why I think it would take awhile before I can have my Visa because the Embassy didn't receive the documents they requested for verification from the appropriate office yet.
► There may be some cases where the consul would ask there whereabouts of your petitioner. I had a photocopy of my petitioner's passport and a recent picture of him holding a newspaper with the headline.
► Medical examination is completed.
► Brought two black ballpens (hehe). But don't ever bring a cellphone or any electronic device. Lighter and cigarrettes are prohibited too.

♥THE PROCESS♥

1. Arrived at the embassy at 6:00 A.M. but they're still not accepting K1 applicants. They said wait until they call out Immigrant Visa applicants.
2. Called the IV applicants and fall in line.
3. Present one valid ID and appointment letter.
4. Proceed to Gate 2 then went to the IV room. The guard will tell you where to wait or sit down. Then someone said to prepare the DS-156, DS-156K, DS-157, Original NSO Birth Certificate, and Passport (if available).
5. Fall in line on the ticket window. Gave the documents being asked to prepare. Get my ticket number. Go back to seat.
6. Name called AT window 33 for finger scanning. Went to the said window then go back to seat after the finger scanning was done.
7. Number flashed on the board with the corresponding window where you need to go which is for pre-screening.
8. Pre-screener asked the Affidavit of Support form together with the Form 1040 and W2. She also asked for the pictures. Had a pre-interview (she would ask you regarding how did you meet your fiance and his financial status). Sign the forms and correct the mistakes. (This is where you needed the black ballpen. hehe)
9. Number flashed on the board again with the corresponding window where you need to go which is for the final Interview with the consul.
10. Went inside the room and sit down. Interview. Done after less than 5 minutes. Consul said that wait for my name to be called for the next step that I need to do.
11. Name called at window 37 and received a two sheets of paper.
12. Proceed to Delbros window. Fill up the form(s). Pay for the Visa delivery (PHP 250.00).
DONE

♥INTERVIEW WITH THE CONSULAR OFFICER♥

consul: good morning! (looking serious. it made me a little bit tense)
me: good morning! (smile)
consul: what's your name?
me: jonaver
consul: who petitioned you?
me: my fiance, Andrew Wayne Kuhn
consul: how did you meet?
me: through a website
consul: when did you first met online?
me: around february of 2007
consul: when did you meet in person?
me: september 12, 2007
consul: (looking at my son who is sitting in my lap) who is he?
me: my son
consul: how old is he?
me: 1 year and 7 months old
consul: where is his father?
me: i don't know
consul: (about to say something) OK. how old are you?
me: 24
consul: have you been married before?
me: no
consul: how old is your fiance?
me: 34
consul: when is his birthday?
me: december 20, 1973
consul: have he been previously married?
me: no
consul: does he had any child?
me: no
consul: is he living alone?
me: no
consul: who is he living with?
me: his sister
consul: will you live with him and his sister once you get to his place?
me: yes, temporarily
consul: where is your son's born?
me: cagayan de oro city, philippines
consul: what hospital?
me: (i almost forgot) northern mindanao medical center
consul: (sign on some documents) wait outside and your name will be called for the next step that you need to do.
me: ok. thank you! (grin)
consul: take care (smile .. at last!)

That's the whole process of my Interview. If you need to ask or clarify something, feel free to leave a comment and I will answer everything to the best that I can.

___

Related Links:
♥Helpful Sites for Visa filers
♥My Step-by-Step St. Luke's Medical Exam
♥Personal K1/K2 Visa Processing Experience