Note: This K1 Visa Interview Walkthrough might be outdated as this was based on my experience at the US Embassy Manila (USEM) in June 13th, 2013. This should give you an idea on what will take place though.
The K1 Visa Interview appointment date you have scheduled has come. Make sure you’ve gathered all your required documents. Always check the U.S. Embassy Manila’s Website for news/announcements, most especially about updates on required documents. As far as I know, all interviews are held at the New Office Annex Building of the U.S. Embassy, also called as NOX1. Again, check their website, or call their hotline.
I know how you feel. I was nervous myself even though my then-fiancé-now-husband was there with me. Yes, US Citizens are allowed to enter the US Embassy premises without hassle. They just have to have their U.S. passport with them.
Dress like you’re showing up for a Job Interview. Demand respect for what you wear. Wearing flashy clothes is a no-no. Also, don’t go looking like you just got out of bed. ;)
Be on time. Show up at least 30 minutes before your appointment.
No electronics allowed. No cellphones, mp3 players, tablets, nothing. Not even a USB Flash drive. Please leave it at home or at the hotel.
Backpacks are not allowed either. Sling bags/Purses, Plastic File folders, Messenger Bags are good.
Eat a heavy breakfast. Your appointment starts early in the morning and would end at almost lunch time.
Double-check your documents.
Triple-check your documents.
Be confident. Answer clearly the consular officer’s question and as concise as possible.Most of all, Be honest.
Our 19 lbs. of Paperwork. Yes, we overdid it. Better to be prepared than sorry. :P | K1 Visa Interview Walkthrough | ©2013, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)
1. K1 Visa appointments are usually at 7:30am. Be there at least 30 minutes before your appointment.
2. Get in line. There is a line for Fiancé(e)’s/Spouses separate from other Visa applicants (Seafarers, Tourists, etc.)
3. Prepare the following as these will be checked by the attendant at the front of the line:
4. The attendant will affix an appointment sticker on your passport and it will be placed inside a ZipLock bag with the page turned to your Bio page. It will be given back to you.
K1 Visa Interview Appointment sticker affixed at the back of my Philippine passport | K1 Visa Interview Walkthrough | ©2013, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)
5. You will be directed to a door where you as the applicant is supposed to enter. You will go through a security checkpoint. If your US Citizen Fiancé(e) is with you, they will go through a separate door.
6. Outside the security room, after you’re cleared to pass through of course, you will line up to get your Queue Number. This line leads to a window where you need to show your Passport, Interview Appointment Letter / Confirmation Email, and your DS-160 Confirmation Page.
7. You will be given a queue number. You must remember this number (or at least keep it handy) because this would be your number throughout the process inside USEM. Your number will be flashed several times on the Queue/Number Boards.
Checklist of documents as provided by USEM and my queue number: 6135 | K1 Visa Interview Walkthrough | ©2013, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)
8. You will then be instructed to drop those items mentioned above at Window 39 inside the main annex building. There’s another security checkpoint here.
9. Drop your documents at Window 39 and wait for your number to flash on the Announcement Boards.
10. From the first step until Window 39, it should all just take 15 minutes. Waiting for your number to be called might take 30 minutes to 1 hour each step.
11. There are a lot of seats with ample leg room. You’d be more or less comfortable. If you get hungry or thirsty, just outside the building (still inside the US Embassy) is a waiting area with concessionaires. I’d still recommend eating a heavy breakfast because food there is a bit pricey.
12. There are 4 main parts of the process (Biometrics and Pre-screening are interchangeable in order):
13. Your number will be flashed on the Announcement Board and it will direct you to a window where a step has to be taken.
14. Biometrics Window – Your information and petitioner’s information will be asked of you. Fingerprints for both your hands will be taken by through a biometrics scanner.
15. It will probably an hour wait from the Biometrics (or Pre-screening, whatever comes first) to the Pre-screening (…or Biometrics) Window. Watch out for your number on the Announcement Boards.
16. Pre-screening Window – You will be greeted by a Filipino Consular Officer. You will be asked of the following documents:
Checklist of documents as provided by USEM; Note that this is an outdated checklist. They will hand you an updated one, possibly saying DS-160 confirmation page instead of the previous DS Forms that are listed. | K1 Visa Interview Walkthrough | ©2013, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)
17. You will be told to sit down and wait for your number to be called, this time for the Interview. Wait for your number on the Announcement Boards again.
18. Interview Window – An American Consular officer will interview you. This would last about 5-15 minutes. They will verify your information. Ask you questions about you and your petitioner. They may or may not ask for some documentation and/or photos from you and if they do, they will return the photos to you after. Three (3) things you need to remember:
19. If you have been previously issued a B1/B2 Visitor Visa before, the consular officer will ask you to submit it to him/her so he/she will be able to cancel it. Also, The Consular Officer *may or may not* tell you right away that you are approved, denied or if they are going to issue you a 221(G) (Request for Additional Documents). You will be asked to be seated again.
My previously issued 10-year Multiple Entry B2 Tourist Visa that was cancelled on the spot. (It was supposed to expire in Feb 2021. Well, No need for it now! :D) | K1 Visa Interview Walkthrough | ©2013, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)
20. You will have to wait for your number to be flashed on the Announcement Boards again. This time, it’s in the Releasing Information Window.
21. This will be one of the last steps. And hopefully, you will be hearing good news: Your visa is approved, it will be delivered to the address you specified on your online scheduling (or you may ask them if you need to change the delivery option)
22. If you are given a 221(G) Request for Additional Documents, don’t despair. Just comply with what’s needed from you. If they tell you that you need to wait to hear from them, then just follow-up by contacting the US Embassy through phone. They may need additional time to process your visa application, doing background checks and such. Just standard procedure. Do not lose the two (2) sheets that will be given to you. You need to submit these sheets when you send your 221G to USEM through 2GO.*
*Note: 221G instructions are now sent through the applicant’s email.
More information about 221G here »
The 221G Requirements Sheet signed by the Consular Officer who interviewed me. | K1 Visa Interview Walkthrough | ©2013, US Embassy Manila, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)
The 221G Submission Sheet for 2Go Couriers | K1 Visa Interview Walkthrough | ©2013, US Embassy Manila, Life As Mrs. Presson (www.mrspresson.com)
23. If you get refused, my sincerest apologies. You may want to look at your entire case and see if there are red flags. You may want to contact an immigration lawyer afterwards.
24. If you want to change your delivery address to SM Mall of Asia pickup, you have at least until 12 midnight of that day of your interview to change it online, where you scheduled it. They will hand out a leaflet with steps for you to follow.
25. Track your Passport / Visa Status through CEAC, The US Embassy’s Passport Tracker and 2GO.
If you do get approved, please accept my Congratulations. :D You will be on Cloud 9 …and of course, Best wishes! :)
NOTE: Some Consular Officers need some time to review your case that’s why they don’t tell you right away if you’re approved or not. Don’t Worry, just keep track of your Visa Status on CEAC »
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Disclaimer: I do not work for nor am I affiliated with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs and the U.S. Embassy Manila, Philippines. This guide was made with the sole intention of helping other K1 applicants to understand what goes on during the K1 Visa Process. For the full disclaimer, please click here.
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Hi Mrs.Pressing, do I really need to have my medical exam 1 week before my interview? Or is it possible if I can do them both just in a week like for example Monday and Tuesday I have my medical and Friday is my interview.I’m from cagayan de Oro.
Rules and processes may change over time. It’s your duty to call the U.S. Embassy and confirm information. Last I heard, applicants are required 2 weeks before the interview. Contact the U.S. Embassy directly.
Hi Mrs Presson!Just had my K1visa interview yesterday and it went well although my 1yr old son needs to file CRBA because my fiance is his father.I was asked questions during interview first from Filipino consul then the American consul..they didn’t ask anymore documentations aside from nbi,cenomar,birth certificates and just showed pictures..after that I was instructed to go to step 5 because my child has a claim for US citizenship.I was given 221g form.my child has an appointment at ACS on Oct 23 once we’ve completed that I was told that were good.Does that mean I just need to wait and everything is ok?Thank you and More power!
There’s no decision passed yet which means you need to continue to monitor your status on CEAC after you have complied with the 221G given to you.
hi Mrs. Presson i did followed your blog in regards of steps on how to obtain fiancee visa,my petition gets approved jan.6, 2014 but it gets delayed for couple of months to start visa processing due to our case transfer originally addressed in mexico to phil.i get my physical file transferred in manila us embassy may 20,2015 finally i am just waiting to release my renewed passport next week to start visa process .my concern is that police certificate they required if you lived for 6 months or more, in other country.i departed here in phil.august 13,2014 arrived in juarez mexico august 13,2014 until jan.26,2015 ,i arrived jan.28,2015 here in phil. i stayed in mexico as tourist visa for 5 months and 2 weeks because we were trying to wait the process to get done there.but they did not allowed my extension of visa there so i have to go back before my visa expired.do u think i was required to provide this police certificate abroad?i did counted the days i lived there but i’m still worry that they might ask that certificate from me .Thank you so much…
The rules are: If you lived/worked in another country for more than 6 months, they will require you a Police Certificate from that country. This means, if you had a resident visa / work visa. As you said, you were on a tourist visa.
I’m not saying you wouldn’t need a Police Clearance. But ultimately, it’s at the Consular Officer’s discretion if he would require you a Police Certificate from Mexico. You will only know at the time of the interview.
No one will be able to tell you what you exactly need, not on social media, not on blogs, not on forums. It depends on the Consular Officer. You have to remember that every case is different/unique.
Just done with my interview today and I got approved. Thank you Lord and to you Mrs. Presson. Your site has helped me a lot in my journey. More power and God Bless!
Congratulations! :)
Good evening, I would just like to ask if I need to wait for the mail from the US Embassy Manila before setting my appointment? I called them and confirmed that they got my case file and that I can go ahead with the payment of the fee and set my interview but as we were about to they told my fiance that we need to wait for the mail. We went ahead with scheduling of the appointment but now i am very confused. I hope you can help me to have a peace of mind if i need to have it with me when i go to my interview. Thank you!
Read http://mrsprsn.us/NVCandCEAC
Hi, Mrs. Presson.
May I know how many copies of CENOMAR you got from NSO? Thank you.
I got 3 for good measure.
hellow can i ask cuz i dont have a police clearance from dubai my frnd did not hive cuz tell i need my present physical apperance is that ok even dont have for interview
Please read this comment thread: http://www.mrspresson.com/immigration/k1-fiancee-visa-process/221g-request-additional-documents/comment-page-2/#comment-3435
Hi can I ask , My petitioner’s mom is our co-sponsor. she sent me her 3years ITR,certificate of employment,6months paystub because my fiance is just a new employee, started january so he doesnt have his ITR yet but he also sent me his certificate of employment and 3 months pay stub. will that be enough? thanks please. And also regarding my cenomar. I got it last june 2014 ,but my interview is on nov.4 , do i need to get another new.
Please read:
Hello Mrs. Presson, Kanina po ang interview ko, taspos sa releasing window the incharge said my documents is in administrative process pa po daw. I just want to ask lang po, kung ma dedeny ba ang visa , on that same day after interview ibabalik po nila ang passport di po ba?Tapos po pag may tanong sila na di mo nasagot nang maayos o nagkamali po nang sagot , may posibilidad po ba na ma deny ang visa?Thanks po..
Quoting my reply to another commenter:
Every case is unique and it varies. I will not be able to tell you when your visa will be approved. No one will be able to tell you when because only Consular Officers have the authority to approved/refuse cases. You have to track your Visa Status on CEAC, and track your passport on US Travel Docs. Please read http://mrsprsn.us/VisaStatus
There is nothing you can do but wait for updates and continue to monitor CEAC.
Also read the following:
hello mrs presson,pwede po ba dalhin ang bag except phone and gadgets during interview?and ask ko dn sa pag schedule ko ng interview online nalaman ko na nadagdagan ng 1 digit ang passport no. pro sa ds-160 ko wala nmn problema..ng nagtry ako i-update ang profile di pwede ma update ang passport number,so i cancelled my interview on nov.3 dahil nga sa sumobra ang passport no..pwede po ba na ang fiance ko nlng ang mgpa schedule ng interview ko through call?pati sa pag update ng profile?
thank u :)..god bless
1. Bags are allowed. Just no backpacks, electronic devices, and other items that may ring up on the x-ray machine. No USB flash drives either.
2. Call the U.S. Embassy directly for any information change.
3. On the U.S. Embassy Manila’s page, the contact page link is on the upper right. U.S. numbers are available there and your fiancé is allowed to call for a specific time frame during weekdays.
maam ask ko lang po kasi po lahat ng documents na kailangan ko send lang po sa mail ko katulad po ng form I-134 ok lang po ba ung pirma nya printed or kailangan po talagang ipadala nya sakin ung orinal na document na un .. naguguluhan po kasi ako medyo kabado po :) lapit na din po interview ko next week na :) pakisagot nmn po salamat
Paki-basa yung ibang pages ng blog para di ka maguluhan kasi lahat ng information inenumerate ko na sa ibang articles. http://mrsprsn.us/K1VisaChecklist
musta po.. lapit n din po interview namin ng anak ko s oct po… tanong lang po d po ba pwede magtagalog dun?
There are American Consular Officers that will ask you if it’s more comfortable for you to speak in Tagalog / Bisaya / Ilocano / etc. Some don’t. Good luck.
Hellopo ask ko lang po if kilangan pa din po ba ang Latest Income Tax return and LAtes Witholding Tax? what if wala po aq nito? is it reall important?
Please read the requirements on http://mrsprsn.us/K1VisaChecklist
Take note of the photo I took of the list U.S. Embassy gave applicants (the one with the 6135 number stapled on it.) Look closely. It says latest Federal Tax Return. So YES, it is important. The latest 1040 / Tax return is 2013.
Also read the instructions on Form I-134, Affidavit of Support. http://www.uscis.gov/i-134
If you don’t have it, you’ll get a 221G http://mrsprsn.us/221G
HI Mrs Presson I just finished reading this article. Until now I”m super amazed! Thank you so much! I wrote down the steps on my small notebook so when I get there sa Embassy I have “kodigo.” Im a fan of yours!
Haha, Thank you! Good luck on your interview! :)
Hello mrs presson,
I would like to confirm sa nakalagay ditu,
3. Prepare the following as these will be checked by the attendant at the front of the line:
DS-Forms (UPDATE: Your DS-160 Confirmation Page)
Passport
Interview Appointment Letter / Confirmation Email
SLEC Chest X-ray CD.
Yung chest xray ba na return sayu?
Aside from that, may ni request ba silang paper yung sa vaccination?
During our time (June 2013), the xray cd is just for checking that you indeed finished your Medical Examination. It will be returned to you. They didn’t check my vaccination form.
Keep your vaccination form though. You need it for http://mrsprsn.us/AOS
Hi Mrs Presson how are you? Sorry kung ngayon lang ulit ako nakapag message sayo.By the way thank you so much for all the helped that you gave as to me..:-) Dito na ako ngayon IN USA.
Thank you..:-)
Hey Ana,
Congrats! Welcome to the US. Glad to hear you’re doing fine. :) BTW, Join us in our Facebook Group!
Good day everyone!To everybody who’s waiting for the Interview Appointment all dates for August was posted last July2 & 3.If you haven’t get any don’t lose hope just continue checking dates pop unexpectedly due to cancellations.As I mentioned before using extensions will be an edge,stress free!Just be patient,I understand how you feel not getting enough sleep just to grab a date.Hopefully the Yolanda expedite issue will be over soon.Remember everyday is a step closer for our dreams to become a reality:-)Good luck to us!!!And to you my Dear Erika thank you so much…Be safe at all times…
How often do they set up interviews? We have done the 160 and she have a profile but says no appointment available. How often do they have appointments
No one knows when appointments show up. You have to monitor the account yourself. You can join our Facebook group. People who are after interview slots too are alerting people if they see something. :) See you there!
Oh ok thank you so much Mrs Presson,