Visa Status - AP (Administrative processing)

Hi guys,

I'm glad to be back and ready to pick up where I left off.
Quick recap on my last blog, after my medical exams at St Lukes’ I flew back to Bacolod to wait for the Sputum culture results. I swear that part was the worst in my entire Visa journey!  I was told by the nurse that any day I will get a call or text from the clinic if the culture turns positive!  I then I have to fly back to Manila to start a 6-month medication. Every day I would wake up hoping the phone would not ring and would celebrate if another day’s passed without getting that call.  Through this entire stressful ordeal, I am thankful for my husband’s patience and support! After the medical was cleared, the nurse set up my interview appointment for the following day.

Visa interview time!!!!!!

I am extremely grateful and lucky to have such an amazing and smart husband, thank you Lord!  He is doing is own research from 10,000 miles away to help even with the smallest details of this journey.  He found me a safe and affordable hotel so close to the embassy where I was able to just walk for the interview. 

The night before the interview is nerve racking!  I want to be prepared as much as I could -I wouldn't be able to handle another drama in this journey😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅. Or so I though.  Had an early dinner and spent the evening preparing my documents envelope and practicing interview questions I read from the visa journey page.

In my envelope I have:

1.  Printed copy of the confirmation page of the DS-260

2.  Passport

3.  3 colored photos - wear collared button downs (there are a lot of studios in the area that knows how to take and print a visa-compliant picture as per the guideline set by USEM)

4. Medical results - normally this is not hand carried but forwarded directly by St Lukes to USEM.

5. NBI Clearance

6. Birth Certificate - PSA (PSA.gov.ph)

7. George's divorce decree

8.  Proof of relationship- Photos, printed conversations from viber, hotel and airline tickets.

AND..............................

9. CENOMAR - the CENOMAR I have on me was the same one we used when we applied for marriage license which I thought would be ok since our category is spousal and not fiancé.

  The interview when well.  I was asked about how long our relationship before marriage, husband's occupation, birthday and hometown.  By the way, the Embassy provides translator for those that can't understand and speak English.

  After the interview I was handed a pink slip that said 221G on it, but they held on all my documents.

I was then instructed to go to NSO and request for a new CENOMAR.  I went to the PASAY branch, and they just know exactly what I need.  I didn't have to do anything after paying the fee, NSO forwards it to USEM directly.

  I went back home to Bacolod the following day. I thank all the Filipinas from the Visa Journey page who took their time in responding to all my questions.  I also like to check visa status online which for 3 days said AP.  On the 3rd day I called USEM to check if they have received the CENOMAR from NSO and the following morning my Visa status changed from AP to APPROVED! Yahoooo!!!Friday of that same week I received the visas packet.

NOTES:

- Dress warm (bring a scarf or light jacket) 

- Arrive early.  I went at 6 AM for my 9AM schedule and the line outside was already long.

- Phone is prohibited inside.

- Bring snacks, but water is not allowed.

  Thank you for visiting my blog.  Good luck on you VISA JOURNEY.