US VISA- My Takeaways!

Disclaimer: Long post ahead. Lakampake!

Ito nga, dahil nga ang page na ito ay sa mga makakating paa tulad ko, naisip kong ishare ang aking sentiments, experience kung ano ba ang aking say sa pagkuha ng US visa na yan. Simulan natin sa tanong na ito. Why should you apply for US Visa ba? What for? May lahi ka lang ba talagang famewhore at gustong gusto mong magbida bida sa US of A? May plano ka bang bisitahin ang mga mahal mo sa buhay? Or hindi naman kaya, gusto mong mag TNT? This post meant no offense for those people who plan to go there at mag TNT. Reality check, we know nowadays, na mahirap ang buhay sa Pinas and we wanted to provide for our family and for greener pasture na rin ika nga.

But did you also know that not all grass is greener on that side? So let’s just leave it there.

First things first, Hindi ko alam kung ano ang protocol ng US embassy for them to grant a VISA for an applicant. Wag mo akong tanungin dahil wala akong ka ide-dea sa mga hanash ng mga taga consul.Thing is, nobody knows what their criteria’s are for you to pass.

 The day I decided to apply for a US VISA – alam mo yung wala lang? it’s more of like curiosity or maybe I wanted to try how is it to undergo the process for applying. I know it’s weird but to be honest, I really don’t have plans to go to the US. Its just one day, it crossed my mind, google the process, fill out application online, pay at BPI, wait for schedule availability on their website and that’s it. I even forgot that I have an appointment pa nga dahil I was busy working at mag bida bida sa office, good thing my cellphone calendar reminded me about the set date and here comes the day!

 Nung nagbibihis na ako, sinubukan kong isagad ang pag awra meaning nag mistulang Christmas tree ang soot ko because I wore different colors. I remember, I wore a purple long sleeves na talaga namang lumutang ang alindog ko, I also wore a black pants na medyo hapit. Oh yes! Hapit na hapit to the point na bumabakat na ang matataba kong hita and genital. I also decided to put on brown shoes and green socks pa ata. Alam mo yung mukang sasali sa King and Queen coronation night nung elementary? Ganun na ganun ang datingan ko minus the corona of course. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit brown shoes, basta I remember when I was on my way going there bigla kong na realized na para akong bandiritas na pwede ng isabit anytime sa kalsada.

Susme! Eto na nga, Hindi ako na inform na para palang NBI ang pila sa labas ng US Embassy. Parang refugee camp indeed! I had my appointment scheduled at 745am (the earliest) and arrived around 545am dahil nga you need to anticipate the waiting time pa and all.

 Just so you are aware- there are really no exact documents provided on their site for you to mandatory bring. Meaning- bring all documents that can support your application. Keso dalhin mo ang titulo ng bahay mo, orcr ng kotse mo bahala ka sa buhay mo. Kung gusto mong mag mukang mayaman bitbitin mo jewelry box mo at ibida bida mo sa consul, kung gusto mo naman ng sagad na pagmamayabang dalhin mo ang bank certificate mo na milyones ang laman. Magbida bida ka sa mga taga US Embassy that you can buy their country ganern! or better isampal mo ang mga travel stamps mo sa kanila. Bahala ka! The decision is up to you on which documents to bring.

In short ang dala ko lang are bank certificate kong wala namang laman and kapal ng muka. Yes! Dala ko ang confidence ko! and that’s the reason why I’m here because I wanted to prove to these people that me as a Filipino can go to US anytime I want, as long as I want, as much as I want! in the same manner that they can visit our country just like that. I was like, pwede ba? We all live underneath the same big sky no.

Fast forward to the interview:

Nakakahilo ang mga number na nag flaflash sa screen mga besh. So kung may lahi kang duling then please have your eyes checked at talagang mabilis ang pag flash ng number that you need to follow it carefully and instantly. During this time, I’m a bit annoyed because ang tagal ng pila like I’m so freaking and effing uhaw na to death. Like my throat is so tuyo that I’m not sure kung masasagot ko ba ang tanong ng maayos or whatnot. You can't even play with your phones because it is strictly prohibited inside. So ang magagawa mo lang talaga is namnamin ang lamig ng aircon, i-nurture ang kaba and wait for your turn.

My number just flashed! Mygad this is it!

Consul- Hey Richmond- you look good.
Me: oh thank you! *petite voice* (ggss talaga ako dito mga besh)
Consul: What are you gonna do in the US?
Me: Im going to visit my sister that I haven’t seen for years now
(full accent to besh- American and british accent combined)
Consul: When?
Me: I have no idea yet. Its not even on my plans this year but maybe next year I guess.
Consul: Have you been outside the country?
Me: Many times (with matching irap pa ito besh dahil nga kahit muka akong kriminal minsan, aba I've been to places na rin)
Consul: How long have you been working?
Me: (Nampepe this time talagang para akong sinapian ng calculator at muntanga akong nag bilang sa harap nya with fingers involved)
(*full force accent again*) I started working when I was 17 so over all work experience is 14 years.
Consul: Okay. So who will pay for your fare?
Me: (this time mga papsh and mamsh parang gusto ko ng i-upper cut si consul at budburan ng magic sarap ang bunganga- hindi sa o.a ha pero pang irita yung tanong e- kahit naman muka akong kulangot kapag walang ligo, I know I can afford a plane ticket naman sa tagal kong nag work teh)

Me: Excuse me?? (high pitch to beh) Do I look like I could not pay for my expense when I get there? (super sayan level na ito but smile smile lang ako because nothing is really personal) Of course I will shoulder the expense I said.

Consul: Okay, then happy trip (sabay saludo)

Me: Im sorry- Do you need this document that I brought? (dahil nga pansin ko yung brown envelope na dala ko na nasa harap nya hindi man lang hinawakan. Parang diring diri ba? Ni wala man lang documents na kinuha saken except for the passport of course. Nag aksaya pa ako ng 180 petot para sa bank certificate.

Consul: I don’t need that. Then he smiled and said Congratulations Richmond!

Im like? Is it done? Do I have to wait for a round of applause from the audience at the back? Alam mo yung pila sa MRT beh kapag magbabayad ka sa window? Ganun ang itsura ng pila sa US Embassy. (well atleast for B1 and B2 category) Rinig na rinig mo ang saya at ang iyak ng mga nadedecline at na-approve. So I’m like? What now? Where is my visa? Little did I know- the visa will be sent over to your home after 3 days.

3 Days came and then bom! Multiple entry! 10 years pak na pak! Roll! Tumbling! Boga fire! Pakak! Tumpak! Limborack! Haduken!

Why am I sharing this experience ba? The aim of this post is for me to share that there is no magic, secret, whatsoever when you apply for one. I didn’t expect that the process of getting a US visa will just be like that. So if you are afraid or hesitant to try, don’t be! At the end of the day, US is just a country. Its not even something close to heaven, hello?? For those people who wanted to try their luck and want to visit US of A, kailangan nyo lang talaga ng kapal ng muka at active listening. Those for me are the keys to help you get that visa you always wanted. Mga Pinoy tayo beh at hindi tayo papa api! Labaaan!!

In a nutshell- may mga consul talagang kampon ng kamalasan. Tripper baga. Yung trip trip lang talaga nilang ideny ka dahil trip lang nila? Sarap banatan diba? Ipag pray over nyo ang consul na makakaharap nyo dahil besh yung iba parang may sapi. Nonetheless, thank you sa consul na natapat sa akin. Alam mong nadaan kita sa matatamis na ngiti ko wag kang ano. Labyu!

Goodluck beshies! Laban langggg! 😂

Apply na dali na! Ito yung website. Basa basa din wag parang level one monkey ang utak.

https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

P.S- matagal na ko nabigyan ng visa. Shinare ko lang ngayon. Wag shunga.

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Ano nga basi ang meaning ng multiple entry visa 10 years? Ibig sabihin pwede kang magwalwal sa lahat ng States sa US maximum of 6months stay for tourist. 10 years is very self explanatory! Your visa is good for 10years from date of issue. Gets?

Ito talaga yung mga sandali na pinagsisihan kong ganito ang picture na sinubmit ko online. Isipin mo ba namang 10 years ko yang gagamitin? O diba muka akong sabog? From eye bags to eye luggages! So siguraduhin nyong postura ang isesend nyong pic online dahil kapag na aprub kayo ng multiple ayun na ang pic nyo for 10 years!

With ate that I have not seen for 15 years here at Timesquare, New York City.

Daming pabida dito mga besh lalo na sa gabi. This is a city that never sleeps tologo. Literal! Kahit madaling araw nuknukan ang dami ng turista dito, so magbaon kayo ng pang hampas dahil nga elbow to elbow ang labanan dito. Mabuti sana kung yung ka elbow mo hindi pawisan e. Kaya be careful mga kapatid!

Siguro naman alam nyo yung World Trade Center ano ho? Wag nyong hanapin yung twin towers dahil bumagsak nga diba? So we are at Ground Zero, New York this time. Wag maingay dito dahil this is a funeral park. Mag bulungan lang kapag nag uusap.

Nakikita nyo ba yan si kuya na nasa sahig? Sarap itumba diba? Contodo effort sa pagpicture sa jowa nya. Kairita!

Thing is. I also met my Mom in the US! My Mom that looks like my sister. I labyu Mama ko! 😍😀 Without you, there would be no wonderful creation like me! 😂

Im at the 70th floor of Rockefeller still at New York City.

Besh! Umawra kayo dito ng sagad. Akyatin nyo yang glass window sa likod ko at dyan kayo mag selfie. Ewan ko lang talaga kung hindi mamatay sa inggit ang mga insecure nyong kaibigan at kamag anak. Bilisss!!!

Ito na nga at nagikot ikot ako dito sa peymus Timesquare. Sumapi saken for awhile si Alicia Keys at ito na talaga ang concrete jungle where dreams are made of mga besh! Apply na dali na!!!

Click HD wag shunga.