Hello frennies! It’s been a while since I wrote something here. I became busy with my 8-5 work (urrgh!) and some out of town trips (hihi!). I’m so back!
This time, I would like to share my latest experience--- the embassy interview! Yey! As much as I want to write my experiences in order, I can’t wait to share one of the best moments in fulfilling my American dream--- hearing the words “I think your documents are in order. I will recommend your file for approval. Congratulations!”. So, I’m gonna share my experiences prior to the embassy interview some other time.
November 16, 2018, my embassy interview schedule.
At around 3 AM, with high hopes, me and my husband travelled to US Embassy, Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila. In my embassy interview letter, it's just me who had an appointment, but I brought my husband with me hoping that they will allow him to get in so we can have our embassy interview together 😂. We arrived there too early for my 9:10 AM schedule. We were expecting long lines in front of the embassy as that’s what we have read online, but to our surprise, nobody’s there yet. While waiting, we had our breakfast at Army Navy, just in front of the embassy. (Happy eating!)
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| Bangus with egg for breakfast 😂 |
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| Our 5 AM selfie 😆 |
Thereafter, we headed to the embassy. By then, there were many applicants for interview already. As we reach the area, a lady approached us. She asked whether we are for immigrant or non-immigrant visa. We answered politely, then she directed us to the correct group and offered chairs for me and my hubby. And the chairs, they’re not for free haha! P30 per chair, frennies! Since it’s still early (6 AM), we opted to rent chairs rather than standing there for hours.
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| Oh yes! Selfie again! 😊 |
Just after we took a seat, this helpful lady approached us again, asking if we have with us our DS-260 confirmation page, passport and 2”x 2” photos.
We said “yes”. Then she again asked if we have electronic devices with us. She informed us that we can’t bring them inside. Oh yes, we expected it already. Thanks to those who shared their embassy interview experiences online. We were not that surprised when she offered to take care of our phones while we're inside the embassy, with a payment of P200 per gadget. (Too expensive!) We did not have any choice but to trust her haha! 😆 We brought 2 phones, so we should have paid P400. (But when we claimed our phones, she asked if we passed the interview. We said yes, and paid her with a 500 peso bill. She asked if she can keep the change, I passed the interview anyway. Yay! So goodbye P500! 😂 )
At 8:30 AM, we were able to enter the US Embassy. We were asked to present our DS-260 confirmation page and passport. They did not ask for the printed appointment letter. At the entrance, another lady (security staff I think) instructed us to place our passports in a plastic bag that she provided, she stapled our DS-260 confirmation page together and an appointment sticker was placed on the form. Hooray! My husband was able to get in even without appointment.
Below are the steps that we did inside the US Embassy:
1. Pre-screening (1st Floor)
We were asked to present the following (original and photocopy):
Me (Applicant)
Passport
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
CENOMAR
Job Offer
Visa Screen
Texas License
My Husband
Passport
Birth Certificate
The officer asked me the following in Tagalog:
Bound to what state?
Where exactly in Texas?
In what county?
How much is the offered salary?
How many years of nursing experience?
Who is the petitioner?
My Husband:
Current work
Plans when he arrive in the US
Date of marriage
*CENOMAR for my husband was asked but unfortunately, we did not have one. The officer said that if the Consul asked for it, we need to provide.
* My husband is a BS Criminology graduate. He answered a question in his DS-260 incorrectly.
Do you have any specialized skills or training, such as firearms, explosives, nuclear, biological or chemical experience?
He answered ‘No’, because he thought it would be a ground for denial if he answered ‘Yes’, but in reality, he did undergo a training for such. It was a part of their curriculum in college. I insisted that we ask the pre-screening officer about it. The officer told us that we should have answered ‘Yes’ to that question. He helped us to modify my husband’s answer, and he added a note to my husband’s file, stating that the training was done during his college days. He asked for the specific Subject where he was trained in handling firearms, and that’s it.
Upon determining that our documents are complete, the pre-screening officer gave us a slip with the amount to be paid at the embassy’s cashier at the 2
nd floor ($345).
2. Visa Fee Payment for my husband (2nd Floor)
We paid in peso currency, with a total of P18,975. After such, we went back to the pre-screening window to give the receipt. The officer then directed us to the Fingerprint Scanning window.
3. Fingerprint Scanning (1st Floor)
Our name and date of birth were asked for verification, thereafter, our fingerprints were scanned--- 4 fingers of the right hand, 4 fingers of the left hand, then the 2 thumbs. After such, we were directed to the final step, the interview with the Consul.
4. Interview
In here, we have to sit to fall in line. Our waiting time before we finally get our spot in the interview window was around 15-20 minutes. The line was very organized and there were guides everywhere. They were all nice and accommodating.
There were around 6-7 windows for the interview and all interviewers were foreigners. The Consul who interviewed us was a beautiful American who looks a bit serious.
The first thing that we did was the thumb scan followed by the oath taking (e.g. Do you swear that everything you are going to say is true?)
After that, tadaaaah, the interview questions:
a. Me (Applicant)
In what state am I going?
Where exactly in Texas?
Who is my petitioner?
How many years of work experience?
Areas of assignment?
When did I pass the NCLEX exam?
Did my employer offered to shoulder my transport?
Did my employer offered that they will provide training?
Did my employer offered to provide housing?
What do I know about Texarkana?
How much is the offered salary?
When did I get my nursing degree?
b. My Husband
What are his plans when he arrive there?
After answering the above-mentioned questions, the Consul said, “I think your documents are in order. I will recommend your file for approval. Congratulations!”.
Yehey! Thank you so much, Lord!
Our interview lasted for about 5-10 minutes, including the Consul’s review of our documents. It’s really quick! I think we stayed inside the embassy for 2 hours--- pre-screening takes time plus we need to line up for each step.
There you have it, frennies. This is my embassy interview story. To those who are preparing for their embassy interview, here are some tips from me:
- Bring all the required documents
- Review your documents specially your contract / job offer
- Make sure that your salary is equal to or higher than the minimum prevailing wage in the State/City where you are going
- Do a research --- read blogs, join facebook groups and forums, etc. I suggest that you join "Lefora Filipino Nurses to US" group in facebook
- Follow all the steps instructed by the National Visa Center (NVC)
- Go to the embassy on time
- Dress professionally
- When talking with the Consul, be confident, smile and TELL NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
- Do not offer additional information. Just answer DIRECTLY what is being asked.
- The most important thing, PRAY...
I wish you all the best, frennies!
