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| My face after the interview😂 |
With my H1B petition approved and the Notice of Action in
hand, I was so much ready to book my appointment at the embassy. I immediately
completed my DS160 online application and paid the appointment fee of 10160
pesos to the Bank of the Philippine Islands.
My scheduled appointment was on January 17, 2020. I gathered
all my documents in case they want to see it. Since I was not familiar in
Manila, I asked my father to accompany me. We stayed at Uncle Jimmy’s place in
Pasay.
We woke up at 5 o’clock in the morning to prepare. I wore a
casual outfit: it was a dark blue dress and I paired it with a black blazer.
I was scheduled at 9AM. Uncle Jimmy accompanied us to the
embassy by taking a jeep and a tricycle. We arrived at around 8am so we stood
there waiting at the vicinity. While waiting, I kept calm and recited a silent prayer.
I told my father that I will do my best to get approved.
The time came when we can now enter the premises. I left my
father behind and I brought my documents with me. I submitted myself to
security checks and seated at the waiting area until we were called to enter
the building. There were personnel/ushers to assist you at the entrance so I went
straight away to Step 1 in which my passport and Form I-129 were checked, then I proceeded to Step 2 for finger scanning, then came step 3 in
which I felt nervous, the interview with an embassy officer.
There were many
interview cubicles and again a personnel will tell you which cubicle you should
go so you can’t choose an interviewer. We were in queue and as I waited for my
turn, I heard questions asked by officers to other applicants. You would know
right away if the applicant is approved or denied after so much interrogation.
I felt so sad for those people who didn’t get the visa. When my turn came, I
greeted the officer good morning. She’s in her fifties I suppose. There was an exchange of questions and answers. She just asked me few questions about my
job, my years of experience as a medical technologist, and my workplace in the
US. She checked my Labor Condition Applicaton or LCA as well. After that, she
gave me a pamphlet of USCIS and said ‘Okay, I intend to approve your visa!’
Upon hearing those words, a smile was formed on my face.
This is it! I got approved! Thank heavens!
Before the officer got my passport, I needed to pay the
newly implemented reciprocity fee of 540 USD or approximate 26000 pesos. Kinda
pricy but they won’t take your passport for stamping if you woudn’t pay for it.
I went to the cashier located at the second floor and returned to the officer
to give my receipt. That’s the time she congratulated me and advised it would
take one week for my passport to be delivered in Cebu.
I went out of the embassy to see my father. My heart was so
excited to tell him. As I saw him waiting outside, I felt like crying
but I just held back my tears and told him the wonderful news. We went back to Uncle
Jimmy’s place to celebrate.
That was it! I got my passport back after one week. I
realized that as long as you know all about your employer and you bring all the
necessary documents relating to your H1B application, there wouldn’t be any problems
in applying for the visa. Also, keeping a composure and confidence in answering the officer will help.
Another milestone has achieved, now I’m getting closer to my
dream. Up next, my contract verification to POLO !
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