We got our 10-year multiple entry visa recently! I love it, super bilis. Our interview was Wednesday, we got our passport with visa on Friday the same week.
We had a very pleasant visa interview experience. It was just my 4-year old son and myself who applied for a visa; my husband has a 10-year ME visa and he uses it almost yearly. Our interview went like:
Me: Good morning. (I held my son's hand para hindi maglikot.)
Immigration Officer (IO): Good morning. Are these your passports?
Me: Good morning, sorry, can you please say that again? (Nawindang ako kasi kumawala agad yung anak ko at naglilikot likot na. Kaloka. LOL)
IO: Are these your passports?
Me: Oh yes ma'am, those are our passports.
IO: What is your name?
Me: (Said my name.)
IO: What is his name? (referring to my son).
Me: (I answered. Naglilikot na yung excited kong anak at naglalakad lakad na siya, lumalayo pa sa amin LOL. So I called my son.)
Me: Hi. I'm sorry, he's been excited and is now playing. Is it okay if I just carry him so he does not run around? (apologetic smile)
IO: Sure, carry him. Hello little boy. What is your name?
My son: No answer. Nahiya bigla.
IO: Is your name ____? (Biglang natahimik yung anak ko ? Ano ba anak, kanina lang ang daldal at ang kulit mo! LOL)
Me: I'm sorry, he's suddenly shy now.
IO: Oh I see. You're too handsome to be shy. How old are you? (Little boy still has no answer.) Are you 2 years old?
My son: Shakes his head.
IO: Are you 3 years old? (Son shakes his head.) No? Are you 4 years old? (My son nods shyly.) Alright! You're 4 years old.
IO: What are you going to do in the U.S.?
Me: My husband is running a marathon in October. This will also by our family vacation.
IO: Do you also go by the name____ (mentions my maiden name)?
Me: Yes ma'am.
IO: Who's going to the US?
Me: Us three - my husband, myself and my son.
IO: So your husband runs marathons?
Me: Yes ma'am. We are both marathon runners. We aim to run marathons abroad. This will be his third marathon outside the Philippines.
IO: Okay. And this is Chicago Marathon?
Me: Yes ma'am.
IO: What did he do in the UK?
Me: It was both a business and holiday trip.
IO: And why didn't you go?
Me: It was a busy season at work, I couldn't take a leave. Plus, my son was younger then and I thought it would be hard to travel far. (IO was nodding the whole time.)
IO: Your husband has a US visa? Did you bring it?
Me: Yes ma'am, here. (I put down my son to rummage through my envelope. Naglilikot na naman si bagets. And nasa kabilang counter na LOL.)
Me: Excuse me, do you mind if I just pick him up and carry him again? (with a big apologetic smile)
IO: Sure, please do. (smiling warmly)
IO: Have you traveled to other countries?
Me: Yes, I've recently been to Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan.
IO: Alright. Who went to Japan?
My son na karga ko: Meee! Meeee! (Aba nabuhay ulit hahaha!)
IO's face lights up: Oh yeah, what did you do in Japan? Where did you go there?
My son: Na-shy na uli and quiet na uli.
Me: (Big smile). Oh he's shy again. Yes he went to Japan with my husband and myself.
IO: What do you do for a living?
Me: I work in _____ as a ______.
IO: And how long have you been working there?
Me: A little bit over 5 years.
IO: Where is your husband?
Me: Oh he's outside, he's waiting for us.
IO: Alright, your visa is approved. Enjoy your trip! Bye little guy, enjoy your vacation! (referring to my son)
Medyo mahaba yung transcription ko in paper but the interview didn't actually take long. Very quick and spontaneous, warm and friendly overall.
I will admit na kinakabahan din ako at first. I've been putting off getting a visa kasi medyo scared ako and hindi naman ako atat pumunta US kahit nagpupunta dun husband ko yearly. But my husband was confident that we'll be given a 10-year ME visa, and kinukulit niya na ako for the last few years to get a visa hehe.
It's true what our sisses here said na even before you go, they are more or less decided na whether they will give you a visa or not. I felt that halfway through the interview, that the IO was going to approve our visa.
So we're going in October!
Oops it's a bit long na. Will save my tips for next time.
