On a normal day at the US Embassy, a consular officer usually interviews around 150 applicants or more. Thus, with this figure, each applicant is allotted a mere average of three (3) minutes to convince the interviewer that he or she is qualified for a US K1 fiancée visa.

The fully-accomplished application form is the main basis used by the consul officer in probing the qualifications of the fiancée visa applicant. The said form contains sufficient data to establish whether the applicant is eligible to enter the US or not.

Usually, the consul interviewer would resort to the supporting documents only to clarify certain matters not completely clear or established in the application form.

On the day of the interview, the applicant must be confident that the requirements have all been complied with and must likewise be prepared for any questions which the interviewer may ask.

Make it a point to always remember that the interviewer shall be asking only questions which will tend to prove that the relation between the alleged future spouses is authentic and that there is a bona fide intention to marry each other within ninety days upon entry to the US by the applicant. Thus think of every possible question on this topic and be ready to answer it.

Based on the experience of other applicants for a K1 visa Philippines, whose interview went awry, everything just fell into pieces when they realized that some of their documents were missing. At this point, the composure starts to crumble and a sudden feeling of nervousness overwhelms the applicant.

This situation could have definitely been avoided had they been more prepared and meticulous in organizing the documentary requirements.

Another usual reason for the automatic denial of the application is the legal impediment to marry by either or both parties.

Since there is no divorce in the Philippines, the consular officer's only basis for determining the dissolution of a marriage are the death certificate, or a court ruling nullifying the prior marriage. A mere affidavit attesting to this fact is not valid, hence will cause the instant rejection of the application.

Thus, in every interview for a Philippines K1 Visa, preparation and confidence is the key to an almost assured approval of the application.

Dennis Ramm is the Managing Partner for Siam Legal International, Thailand's largest legal service network with offices in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Samui. The firm has international locations in London and Los Angeles. Siam Legal is a full-service law firm and provides a wide range of legal and Thailand visa services. Reach Siam Legal at +(66) 2-253-8100, or info@siam-legal.com.