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US Tourist Visa Interview Experience Manila

Jacklynne
U.S. EMBASSY MANILA TOURIST VISA INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

My US Tourist Visa Interview Experience Manila

Once upon a time, it was my ultimate dream to go to New York City. All those high buildings, fancy streets, and that overall vibe. However, life happened; I matured and realized that there was more to life than NYC and what it is portrayed on the movies. I prioritized my European dream and worked hard to achieve it. Needless to say, my Eurotrip was the highlight of my whole existence. My USA fantasy went into the backburner but of course, I still want to have the option to visit it.

With all the horror stories I’ve heard from friends, families, and even on the Internet, I kept on delaying my plan to schedule an interview. They said that you need show money, land titles, cars, properties, businesses, and whatnots. The fact that I have just graduated a year ago, with less than 2 years in my current employer, single, no kids, and no properties, it was a risk to apply. Imagine PHP 7680 going down the drain in case I got denied? 

Because I’m me, I didn’t care; I just did it!

You wouldn’t believe how many people told me that it’s super hard to get a US Visa and they also said that I should wait for a few years just to be sure. I don’t know but I’m that kind of person that I jump when it’s the scariest to jump. What’s to lose? I mean, yeah, the PHP 7680 but I can still earn that. I can reapply if ever I get denied so I have to do it.

The plot twist is: I have no ties there. I have my distant relatives but they’re first and second cousins of my mother and I doubt the consul will acknowledge that. All I have with me is my closest college friend and she’s the one I want to visit first. I asked for her permission to use her information in filling out the DS-160 form and she happily agreed. I LOVE YOU, ANNE!

US Visa Application Requirements

When I saw that they have an available interview on my preferred date, I immediately paid the visa fee via BPI Fund Transfer and waited 4 hours to activate the payment and confirm the interview date. I have less than a week from scheduling it to the actual interview and I didn’t do anything but secured the ff.:

That’s it! Remember what I told in my previous post that I have 150 pages of documents that I presented to the German Embassy? In US Embassy, it’s just that! The last two are not required but I brought it anyway just to be sure.

However, from the U.S. Embassy website, here are the things you should consider bringing:

You can do the whole application yourself that’s why I am still wondering why there are people who pay for visa assistance. They do not guarantee approval, they’ll just do what you can do which is assisting you on what you should answer in the form – all of which you know yourself. It’s useless and a waste of money. If you can read and you’re not dumb, there’s no use of getting their service.

Now, on to my experience! Click next!

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My U.S. Embassy Manila Tourist Visa Interview Experience 2016

I got an 8:15am schedule and my father accompanied me to the Embassy. We arrived at around 6:45am so we decided to kill time in Starbucks. I was seriously nervous and the iced green tea latte didn’t help either. Super glad my father had Diatabs with him because my stomach was churning. He said that he believes in me that I’ll get it and there’s no reason that I can’t because I’m not lying. Consuls deny applications mostly because they’re not convinced with the person’s purpose of travel. At around 8am, we went to the Embassy to check the line and I told him I got this. He wished me luck and then I decided to be Ms. Congeniality and talk to everyone, hahahaha!

Here are the people that I talked to:

See? THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS! 

A lot of Pinoys are bunch of fucking liars that’s why Embassies around the world deny even those who are telling the truth. For the love of God, STOP BEING FUCKING SELFISH. If you want to work in another country, GET A FUCKING WORKING VISA! Want to visit your boyfriend? TELL THEM AND GET A FUCKING TOURIST VISA! Want to marry someone? GET A FUCKING FIANCEE VISA! I don’t care what you want but DO IT LEGALLY! Imagine how many honest Pinoys get rejected because you’re so lazy to do it legally?!

I’m sorry I got carried away.

US Tourist Visa Interview Process

Anyway, proceed… When you go to the US Embassy, you will be asked to fall in line based on your time. They will only accommodate you 15 minutes before your appointment so don’t be so early. After falling in line outside, you will be asked to:

1 – bring out your passport and DS-160 form

2 – bring out your appointment form, passport, and 2×2 picture, they will then put a sticker for tracking

3 – go inside the security and put your belongings in a conveyor belt for checking

4 – you might get asked to sit first in the shaded part (there are snacks available here) or go straight to the Embassy itself

5 – have your bags manually checked again by the security

6 – fall in line for the prescreening

There were about 10 windows where a Filipina will ask you your purpose of your trip (I said “tourist/vacation”), if it’s your first time applying (I said “Yes”), if you’re single, then state your name, and birthday

Step 7 – finger scanning

There were around 5 windows for finger scanning. The person inside the booth have microphones and you can hear them loudly across the room. There were maybe 3 foreigners and 2 Filipinas manning the booth and the Filipina in one booth kept on shouting and bullying the applicants that she was assisting. “Sabi ko diinan mo di’ba?!” (“I told you to press it harder, right?!”), “Ano ba’ng di mo maintindihan?!” (“What don’t you understand?!”)

I’m glad I wasn’t assigned in her booth. The American lady who assisted me was the sweetest! “Okay dear, place your left finger.” “Wonderful!” “Fantastic!” “Great!” And she also kept on saying sorry when my barcode won’t scan. “Sorry, dear! Don’t worry, I’ll do my best!” UGH SHE’S THE BEST!

STEP 8 – INTERVIEW

I have been reading blogs and forums about US Visa interview for months now and all of them said that the whole process lasts for at least 4 hours.

After finger scanning, I lined up where I was asked to line up. I thought it was just another pre-screening or security measure but the lady in front of me told me that after 3 applicant, it’s already her turn for interview. I said “Oh no. This is not yet the interview. We’ll wait for 2 hours at least.”

I looked at other applicant, too and they told me that it’s already interview time. Totoo ba, teh!!! I’m already the 4th in line and it suddenly sink in. I was called and I walked to an American man in his 30s. He was still interviewing someone so I waited for my turn. I looked around and I can see people carrying their passports and blue slip (rejection slip) with them.

My heart was pounding but I can’t be nervous because WHY! My purpose is to tour US, done. Approved or denied, it wouldn’t matter.

Then he called me up.

He types.

He wasn’t even looking at me.

I’m smiling but deep inside I’m dying.

Charot.

Actual Interview in US Embassy Manila

Me: Hello, good morning!

Consul: *poker face* Good morning. Purpose of travel?

Me: I will spend my Christmas in Washington and fly to New York for the New Year’s Ball Drop with m—-

Consul: *he cuts me* Cool! That’s cool! *types* What’s your work?

Me: Works at Krusty Krab I’m a Digital Marketing Specialist

Consul: What did you finish?

Me: Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Consul: Where?

Me: Studied at Facebook University Adamson University, just walking distance from here

Consul: Where else have you been?

Me: *lists European country* and just recently, Thailand

Consul: Okay, this has been approved.

Me: THANK YOU SO MUCH!

WOW. I spent 6 months preparing for my Schengen Visa but this one, I only brought my COE and ITR and they didn’t even ask for it. Beyoncé’s song is longer than the interview and I was taken aback. I am seriously thinking that they have already done background check for each candidate and the interview is just for formality.

So, don’t lie because they know you better than you know yourself. LOL.

Bragging aside, I’ve read forums and blog about US Visa Interview Experience and my interview experience is by far the quickest interview for a first timer and a young, single, Filipina that I’ve ever heard. No questions about my finances (which they always, always ask), no questions on what are the places I’ll visit in US, etc. I WAS SO SURPRISED.

I arrived at the Embassy at 8 in the morning then went out at 8:45 in the morning. Yes, 45 minutes for the whole process.

After the interview, I walked straight to the exit looking like a psycho with a smile on my face. I heard the people talking “Ay, approve ‘yan!” (I bet she’s approved!)

Tips? Next page!

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Tips for your US Visa Interview

Again, I don’t care whether your piece of shit friend told you that she lied or exaggerated something and the consul didn’t find out. It’s not impressive, it’s disgusting. DO NOT LIE. They will soon find out! Good luck being banned entering the US!

You’re just visiting the US! You should be confident because you have the means of doing so. You’re not at their mercy, in fact, they should be thankful because you’re part of the people who are trying to boost their tourism. Don’t think you’re inferior and the consul are superior because it will get on your nerve and will affect your interview.

When they ask about your work, tell them your job title. Don’t keep babbling on why you chose it as your job, your strength & weakness, and what that job taught you. This is not a freaking beauty pageant because it will do you more harm than good.

You don’t need to wear 10 kilos of necklace just to show off that you can afford. However, do not just wear t-shirt and shorts. Dress properly like what you would wear in a job interview. I wore this dress from Forever 21, this Gabor shoes that I got when I went to Germany, and this black Longchamp bag. That’s it! No accessories whatsoever! This combination is my lucky outfit and I’ve worn them on countless job interviews and I get job offers when I wear this LOL.

Read forums and blogs especially from PinoyExchange! They do help a lot because it’s a community of people who are willing to help one another when you have questions. I’ve read all of those 390 pages just for me to know what to expect. Remember to be prepared of the questions the consul might ask you but don’t memorize your answer. Know it by heart not by word so you wouldn’t sound robotic.

Don’t be like me. I almost lost my shit waiting for my passport. Did you know that the consul saying you’re approved doesn’t mean that you are 100% approved? They can opt to do another background check on you and if they find out something not good, they can send you a refusal letter. I’ve seen about two people in the forum wherein they were approved by the consul but received a passport with a refusal letter. I was on “Administrative Processing” for almost a week and I don’t know what background check they did. I was positive because I am not hiding anything but it’s still not a good feeling waiting for my passport.

After all the waiting, ladies and gentlemen, here’s my US Visa!

My US Visa

10 FREAKING YEARS AND MULTIPLE ENTRY!!! THANK YOU U.S. EMBASSY!!!!

Now all I need to do is buy a ticket, pack my bags, and go to the land of the free and home of the brave anytime I want! YIPPEEE!!!

Now, what are you waiting for? Secure your interview appointment and your requirements now if you think you have a good chance to be approved. Congrats in advance!

For any questions, feel free to follow me on my Facebook account and message me. I’ll be happy to assist you FOR FREE just to return the blessings!

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