Hello khuda... i happened to open this thread by accident. thinking it was for all manila applicants irregardless of gender (same sex or male/female partnership), it doesnt matter really. Anyways, ive read your case and it is very similar to that of mine. more or less we have the same timeline. I am a filipina married to a canadian. We submitted our application last august 2009, manila started processing september 24, 2009... got passport request a month after which was october 2009 and after a series of new documents requested i finally had my interview last november 22, 2010. At the conclusion of the inteview the VO indicated that she approved my application as all proofs were infront of her. She requested for both me and my son's passport whch was funny coz it has been with them since i submitted it promptly a year ago when requested. heheh. I told her our passports has been with them for more than a year. Thats when she went through the files infront of her, opened the manila envelope containing our passports. (surely they dont really check documents we sent over upon their request, kinda frustrating coz we go through heck acquiring requested documents soonest to beat the 45days required for submission only for it to be dumped and set aside). Then she asked for my nso marriage contracts and the advisory of marriage which i did secure prior. I was so relieved when she said she will approve my application. However, she requested for remedical for obviously with the rate they are doing their jobs and the manner they handle cases, the medical i submitted upon application expired as validity is only for a year. She then told me as soon as my remedical is done, she can even issue us our visas by december. As my flight back to my province was in two hours, instead of letting me wait for the remedical forms she said she will send it to me instead. I flew back home that night very happy. Waited for the remedical forms but it arrived December 9, 2010. I had my remedical at the same designated medical doctor as required on dec 13 and 14, 2010.. the dmd clinic sent it out december 17 and embassy received it december 20, 2010. To date, no word from them though on ecas after a year and 3 months of "we started processing your application september 24,2009" early january 2011 there was finally an update of "medical results have been received"! Now its february and still we are waiting for our visas. We emailed manila embassy once last january 10 for an update and extended our help if there were any further documents they require. We only got the electronic email reply acknowledging receipt of the email and that they will reply regarding our case in 28 days. Its already been more than a month now. so frustrating.
So mam am writing you coz you mentioned having sought the help of your partner's MP in canada. My hubby did call them once (that was before we got the interview schedule as we were already concerned regarding embassy holding on to passport for over a year already) but they cannot intervene with the processing, they can only get information as to the development of an application. Its been way pass their processing time... you think it would be wise to seek the help of our MP again? You also mentioned about your mp calling the ministers office? You mean the MP called the embassy? Please explain. Also you mentioned you did a lot of follow ups? or what do you mean you did a lot of follow ups? how did you follow up? do you mean you emailed embassy? you called? and how did you take record of your follow ups?
Also, i am messaging you to give you some pointers for the interview. It seems appropriate to share having gone through one. Well, first just dress up properly. Just semi formal attire and not too flashy. Dont wear too much make up and relax. Make sure you bring whatever additional documents you can get hold of that proves your relationship is genuine (other than those youve already submitted). Go to the embassy's information counter... inform them that you were scheduled for an interview, bring the letter or a print of the email they sent you informing you of your interview schedule as they will require that in exchange to an id that you need to wear on your way up to the visa section. You will be asked to surrender your cellphone or any electronics (digicams etc) in a safe. Once you are in the waiting area you wait for your name to be called and the window number. As you get in the room, greet the VO pleasantly and simply ask to take a seat. dont say a word unless she asks you. always reply back pleasantly with a yes or no answer unless its an open ended question. occassionaly address her or him sir or mam or officer! DONT volunteer to submit any documents if it is not being asked for. LOOK at the VO in the eyes when answering, occassionally give a smile. If you dont understand a question, politely ask for VO to repeat the question or admit that you dont understand and would appreciate it if he/she could rephrase it. JUST TELL THE TRUTH! with the truth there is no space for error or goofing.
Questions during my interview... i was asked when was the last time i was employed and she checked the datas i put in my history, asked who is sustaining me since i stopped working, asked if was able to meet any of my husbands family, i did tell her yes but not in person but through emails, calls, chat and letter correspondence, was asked if i have any idea where alberta is and that it was indeed very cold to which i agreed and told her my husband is doing a great job of preparing me for the winter season, was asked where my husband works and the nature of his job, and was asked about my son and my husbands relationship. I elaborated on the open ended questions as this is your chance to control the interview... this is when you can show you are well mannered and genuine to make a good impression.
That was it. After the VO uttered i will approve your application i just wanted to get out of there before she changed her mind! heheheh.
Sorry if this is such a novel now hehehe. hope i have helped you some. and i do look forward to hearing from you regarding my inquiries. God bless.
