K1 Visa Applicant Procedures

Hello. Like you, I also underwent much confusion while my K1 visa application was still in process. It is not so easy to do such processing if you really do not know where and how to start.

Here is what I did when I was still there in the Philippines and my K1 or fiance(e) visa was still in process. When my fiance (now husband) applied for a petition for me under K1 visa category, I started compiling all the necessary documents that I might need. The petition paper was still not granted but we were confident that the petition would be granted, 100%. I was advised by my fiance to complete all my documents so that when the petition letter arrives, all my documents will be all ready and right in my hand. Of course, those were all with the help of my fiance. To make it more clear, I prefer to type it in full details to make it more easier to understand.


Note: If you are skeptical to compile your documents without your petition being granted, you and your fiance can wait for the notification letter from the USCIS.

This is how I started while the petition was still in USCIS:

I went to National Statistics Office. I asked for a copy of my authenticated birth certificate and my CENOMAR (CErtificate of NO MArriage; singleness). If you go to NSO and ask for your authenticated birth certificate, you do not need to bring anything. Just go to NSO and the security guard will tell you where to go and where to get your form for birth certificate.

You also asked for a form for CENOMAR. You can ask for both forms and get a copy at the same time. I am not sure how much it cost now, but my authenticated birth certificate was Php125.00 and CENOMAR was about Php195.00. You will get your birth certificate on the same day and the CENOMAR will take about 2 weeks to process. NSO will check your status. One more thing: I advise getting 2 copies of each. You will need those spare copies when you get here in the US or anywhere in the world, wherever you may get married.

Go to NBI. If you have your old NBI, local or abroad, just go to NBI and renew it. Mention your destination. If someone tells you that you have to go to Court Of Appeal or anything like that and that you need to get a copy of your criminal records, do not listen! You do not need criminal records if you have not attempt any crime. You know that your name is clean.

I was asked to get my "criminal records" when I went to the new NBI. I was told by that idiot NBI staffer that I could not get my NBI for abroad unless I get my criminal records, with or without hit! Ass**le!

Prepare 2 passport size pictures. If you have 2 spare copies of your pictures from your medical examination, that is alright. You can use that.

Go to google. Type in the word DS-156 form, fill it up with your necessary information. Then save it to your flash drive; if you can print it out that instant, much better.

Google again and type in DS-156K. Same procedure as DS-156.

Then, the last form is DS-157. You can download it if you want, so you would know how the DS-157 goes.

Prepare 2 copies of each DS, you will be asked for that copies when you appear for your visa interview at the US embassy on Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila.

For DS-157, you will go to either BPI or Banco de Oro to pay for that DS-157 form. The bank will give you a stamped Ds-157 form and a receipt. Keep that receipt for future references. I went to BPI and paid my DS-157 there. If someone tells you to go to MetroBank, do not listen! Go only to BPI or Banco de Oro. The payment for that DS-157 form is Php10,000 ++.

I suggested you Google as an option. You can visit USCIS website but you cannot download all the forms that you will be needing in the processing of your K1 visa application. Just for you to get ready before your Appointment Letter from the embassy of the US to Manila arrives. NVC (National Visa Center) is the one that will send the visa to the embassy here in Manila once the petition was approved by the USCIS.

Now, you can sit down and rest while waiting for that Letter of Appointment from the embassy.

My Visa Interview Story

November 9, 2008. Sunday, 7:00 pm. I could not get to sleep. I was very excited for my visa interview the next day. All my documents were ready. My appointment for my visa interview was Monday of November 10, 2008. I have to be at the US embassy in Manila before 7:00 am. But, I could not sleep that Sunday night. I have to get some sleep so my mind would be fresh and relax, I said that to myself.

November 10, 2008. Monday. I got up at 3 am, didn't get enough sleep. I only had an hour or less than an hour, I think? But, I have to get up early so I can prepare for everything before going to the embassy for interview. I took a shower, I get dressed, then leave at exactly 4 am.

I was renting a small room in Malibay, Pasay. US embassy is in Roxas Blvd. But, I preferred to leave the house that early, so I do not have to rush myself. Aside from the fact that I am not familiar with the location, I was planning to go to Chowking and eat my favorite chao fan.

5:30 am. I reached US embassy. I still have plenty of time. So, I went to Chowking which is opposite US embassy. I got my chao fan to go. I want to be the first person in line. And I was right! I was the first person in line. The only person in line for K1 visa interview. There were so many visa applicants but they are applying for a different visa category. The embassy guard told me that I can come back at 6:30, that I was so early for the interview. I said, it is alright. I can wait. I do not want to stand there in line waiting for my time. It is better to be early than sorry.

6:00 am. The security decided to let us in, K1 visa applicants. I was the first in line, haha! I made it! There was another line before we can get inside the embassy. But, it did not take long.
The security were checking our bags.

Cellphones are not allowed inside the embassy. So, if you are going to the embassy for an interview, DO NOT EVER try to bring your cellphone with you, unless you prefer to go back home and wait for another interview date. They will not let you in once you have your cellphone.

9:00 am. I was interviewed. I was a little nervous because I do not know what would be the out come. The consul asked me a couple of questions and I answered it politely. Then, he welcomed me to the United States of America. Yes! My visa was approved! I was floating with happiness. And when my fiance learned that I passed the interview, he booked a ticket for the Philippines.

After that interview, I went home and go back to bed then sleep. Hehe... At last, I can sleep soundly. Mission accomplished!

Inseparable

We met in AsianEuro.com. An online dating website. It was my first day to navigate from that site after I signed up for a standard membership. Then, when I logged in, it was his picture that appeared on top a first page. I got interested so I sent him the interest then he interest back.


We started chatting December 8, 2007 and I felt that there is something in him that really interests me. On December 9 of the same year, that was the first time we see each other on cam. He was so handsome and I could not help myself to adore him.


April 5, 2008. He came to the Philippines to visit me. I went to airport and wait for him. The first time we saw each other in person, it was magical. We had fun during his first visit. But it was so sad when he had to leave the Philippines without me. He promised not to ever leave me again on his second visit.



Since that day, the love for each other grew much stronger and fonder. There was never a day that we never talk and see each other on cam. That is the only chance we got for us to be together.