K1 Visa Part 4: The Interview

Hey berries! I’m sorry it took awhile to update you about my visa journey. Anyway this is my final battle, or i thought so because even on my last day I have my shenanigans next to me. So here’s what happened.

NOV. 6 2018

I woke up 3 am to get myself fixed. My ever-loving mom came with me to the Embassy. Cellphones are not allowed inside the premise so I needed her wait for me outside with my things. The night before, I reprinted, rechecked and scanned all my papers just to make sure I didn’t forget something. It’s quarter past 5am when we arrived there. I thought we were so early for my 6:40am schedule but I was wrong. A lot of people were there already, sitting in monoblocks provided by street vendors. They were no ordinary vendors – they can print you DS file or other files you need, perhaps a required 2×2 picture you didn’t expect.

So there I was with my mom sitting confidently when at 5:40am the security guard started calling applicants. He checked the time and only allow applicants with 6:40am schedule to get in first. That’s when I freaked out . My smart ass printed an old confirmation page. I forgot I rescheduled my interview from November 15 to an earlier date. I showed him my right confirmation from my mail and he said he will let me in but he don’t know if they will allow me to present the old one. And i don’t wanna take chances. So I asked those vendors to reprint me the right one. That cost me 400 Php! Yes you read it right. So if you don’t wanna spend that much scan your papers 10x! Lol what makes it heavier on my heart is that I got in and nobody ask about that paper anymore!

Before I get inside the embassy, a lady in charge asked for my DS-160 and passport. She put it on plastic pouch and attached a sticker with my name and bar code on my DS-160.

DS-160 sticker provided by the embassy upon admission

Once inside you will have body scan and drop your bag on a scanner, like how you do it in an airport.

Since I am a K1 Visa applicant I was told to go straight inside the main building and not stay in the holding area. There was another body scanner and baggage check right when you enter the building. Marshals were everywhere to assists us and keep the line in order.

Interview Steps

1. Data Entry - A Filipino female asked for my DS -160 and 2×2 picture. She asked me to state my name, birthday and type of visa as she scanned my photo and typed informations on her screen. She returned my photo and gave my DS with a stamp that I already went to her counter.

2. Pre-screening - Another Filipino asked for my requirements (birth certificate, NBI, Cenomar, medical records and passport). She took out a pink folder with the petition and all other papers we passed and provided USCIS. She also did a brief interview:Did you travel abroad? Where? How long?Where do you work? What job?How old is your fiance? What is his job?How many times your fiance visited Philippines?

3. Finger Scanning - A foreign lady asked me to raise my hand and swore a pledge that all information I stated are true and correct and I do not violate the perjury law. She will do the chant so don’t worry. After that she asked me to scan my 4 right fingers (index to pinky) and then right thumb. She asked same on my left hand. When done, she told me to get ready for the interview.

4. Interview - It was 7:30 am when I finished the submission and pre-screening but the consular counter was still close so we were sitting on chairs provided inside. If your foreign fiance is with you at the moment I think they will let them in as I’ve seen so many couples applying together.

Exactly 8 am when the interview started. K1 visa have specific counter and our names were called over the paging speaker. Two applicants prior to me only took 5 mins to get approved. I started getting nervous when it’s my turn.

The consular was an American man around 30s or maybe younger. Anyway, he talks calmly and was briefing another American on embassy work flow. He only asked me 4 questions

• If my fiance go by a different nickname

• What is his work

• When was the last time he was here

• How deeply I know his police records

He was unsatisfied with my answer and I can tell I was too nervous to give a good fight so he told me he will deny my visa for now but he will give me a chance. He gave my passport back and handed me a 221(g) letter. He ticked off “provide proof of relationship” and asked me to write him a letter indicating I had an intensive conversation with my fiance.

IK, it broke my heart a lot! I wanna sink in and be buried 6 ft under. I thought I was done but I was wrong. I needed to jump another loophole and this time it could be a black hole.

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What is 221(g)?

The U.S. Embassy/Consulate may give you a 221(g) letter directing you to submit additional documents or information related to your visa application. Your application will be kept on hold at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate until you submit those documents. (ustraveldocs)

Depending on the case, an applicant will be required to pass additional papers before the application process resumes. 

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