Obviously, I haven't posted part 2 of my Boracay escapade... Fingers crossed I will do it. Anyways, I will give an update first on what has been going on... I started using Instagram on Android. I stopped watching ANTM cos Cycle 18 was uninteresting to me and Allison Harvard didn't win All Star. I do have a few new shows to watch though; Fran Drescher is back with Happily Divorced. Kathy Griffin has a talk show called Kathy; Thursday Bravo at 10. I'll do a sort of review on a separate post. This post is about my quest for a US tourist Visa.
I applied for a US Tourist B2 visa, lots of anxiety and worrying. So the past week, I have been preparing and gathering supporting docs. Took a picture for the application, organise the documents, lay them all out and organize again! I was a mess... But I guess enough of that jibberish and let us go through this in an organized manner.
Ok, to apply for the visa you need to the following.
1. Pay for the application fee. In my case of a B2 Tourist visa, it was HK$1,280.
2. Take a picture; 2x2 size and white background.
3. Fill out a DS 160 form online; the online form will ask for a digital copy of the picture. Afterwards, it will give you a confirmation form.
4. Make an appointment to show up. I booked for this morning at 9:30 am.
5. Show up at the consulate. Bring your passport, a copy of the picture, the confirmation and if applicable supporting documents.
More info here.
Now, here's what I did.
1. I took a picture from those self photo taking booths found at the MTR... Cost me $50... =,="
2. Fill out the DS 160 form.
3. Made the appointment.
4. Paid the application fee during lunch time.
5. Showed up at the consulate this morning... Now here's the thing, the website said you can't queue up until your appointed time... that was *** cos there was a long line outside for document screening. I was scared I'd miss my time and they won't let me in.
6. It was all counters... so after they cleared my documents (BTW I'm not in the building yet) they give you a number and let you in the building. (You can't take your phone in the building so you have to check it in)
7. So you wait for your number to be called but whilst doing that you get your fingers scanned. The chinese who calls people for finger scanning is so hip hop made me grin.
8. They call your number and gave me the most difficult and longest interview. They asked me where in US, for how long, why, what I do for a living (then pretty girl immediately said your visa is approved then she remembered) and if I have a family member in the USA. She handed me a blue coupon with just a small number and nothing else. She didn't ask for any documents or anything and in less than 1 minute it was finished. Oh it was also over the counter like in a bank, I thought it was gonna be a weird sit down.
9. Lastly, I filled up a postage form and paid the fee so they can mail back my passport.
Now here's the thing, I lived in the Philippines as an alien so while I was in the US Consulate I lost my mind and thought I should be careful or they might deport me... but then I am HK citizen so why the hell am I worried???
Anyways so I got back to the office, booked my ticket and so San Francisco I'm coming June 24! See you soon!
PS: Just in case you don't know...
