My CR1 Interview Experience in US Embassy Manila

I was delayed for two months after I failed my medical exam at Saint Luke last July 22 and I need to undergo Sputum Exam and Culture Test for 2 months. I thanked God that when I called them after 2 months, they told me to bring my passport, receipt and 2 pieces 2x2 size photos. I was scared at first because they didn't let me know if I passed the culture test or not. I just knew when I arrived in Saint Luke Medical Center, Manila. What I did is I gave my receipt to the guard and he instructed me to go to 2nd floor. I gave my receipt and passport to the counter and she let me wait for 5 minutes to go to the doctor. After that, I was instructed by the doctor to pay P500 and something to the cashier in 5th Floor for pregnancy test before giving me a shot of vaccine. After they got my urine sample in 3rd floor , I was instructed again to go to 2nd Floor for my vaccine. After the vaccination, I went to the releasing area at ground floor. They gave me a copy of my Vaccine record and a CD of my Chest X-ray. I wait another 5 minutes for the reschedule of my Interview at US Embassy Manila. I was there last October 7, 2013 in Saint Luke. They let me choose a date for my interview if it is October 10 or 22. Of course! I chose October 10 because I don't want to spend more money at the hotel. The lady at counter H gave me my interview schedule. I was so happy on that day that I passed!

It is funny because I couldn't sleep the night before my interview. I was afraid that I will be late because my time for interview is 6:30a.m. I was awoke the whole night!... To make the story short, I went to US Embassy at 5:00a.m last October 10, 2013. I was amazed when I get there! Many people are already waiting. There are 3 lines. One is for the Immigrant, Non-immigrant and Tourist. I paid 30 pesos to the lady who owned the chair that I used. It is hard to stand there for 2 hours especially I was wearing a hill. At 6:00a.m., the guard is already calling all the 6:30 a.m applicants to go inside. They let the Immigrant go inside first. Since, I am in  a CR1 Category, I was instructed to go inside first.The lady scanned the barcode of my appointment letter and she puts a sticker at the back of my passport. My name was written on it. After that, I went inside the building. They scanned my bag. Cellphone or any digital things are not allowed inside. So you better, leave that at home or in the hotel.

I felt nervous when I get inside but I really prayed to God that He will give me a nice Consul for Interview. After the scanning, you need to drop your appointment letter to the counter. After that, you will be instructed to put the appointment letter on the windows assigned by them. I was instructed to drop my appointment letter at window 39. But before dropping, your bag will be scanned again in the second building inside the US Embassy compound. One thing to be put in mind during the interview is you need to be attentive. There are some staff or consul that has a bad day and when you can't hear them calling your number, they get mad. It happened when I was there. The other applicant didn't hear her number so the consul told her in an angry voice that he already called her twice! My number during that time is 64. I kept looking on the board for my number to be called. I was trying my best to be attentive. These are the whole processing on that Day: First, I was called for finger scanning. Next, I was called by a Filipino screener. My pre-interview only took 5 minutes . It seems that she is a new staff of US Embassy. While she was asking me some questions, there is a guy at her back dictating her what to do and what to ask. She only asked me when was the first and last visit of my husband in the Philippines, who is my petitioner, and what is the job of my husband. I even asked her if she needs any photos but she said no. So, it was really a brief interview. Some of the applicants has a long interview. It took 30 minutes before it ended. The 3rd step is the Final Interview of the American consul. I was so happy that the Consul is very nice not like the other Consul who interviewed my new friend. He is very strict and don't even know how to smile.When I saw my number on screen, I went immediately to the booth of American Consul. I was quivering when I faced him but he smiled at me that is why I forgot my nervousness hahaha! He asked me many questions. It seems that I was signing a slam book hahaha! He asked me What is my name, petitioner's name, My husband's job, Name of my church and his church, what dating site we met? husband's first and last visit, date of wedding, where and when is the wedding, where is the reception, how many visitors in the reception? who wrote first, is it me or my husband?, what is his first letter to me?, what did he told me?, What is the reason why I choose my husband? What are the qualities why I loved him?, Then, he approved my visa! After that, he gave me a brochure to read. It is about how to protect myself in USA if someone is abusing me.It is really a good brochure. I was so happy after I heard the magic word "APPROVED!"... The fourth step is waiting for your name to be called in window 72. They will let you know and give instruction where to get your visa. The US Embassy will mail your visa packet and your passport to the address you gave to them. They are using the 2go courier.  It took 10 days before I got my visa packet. It looks like this: 

Be sure that you won't open this one. You'll get trouble when you arrive in the Port of Entry in USA. After I got my passport and some CFO instructions, I put my visa packet again inside the cellophane to make it safe. You can track your visa packet in 2go website. Here is the link.

I hope this blog helps! I will write soon about my travel experience to USA and the Port of entry.