Planning to journey to america for the primary time? You’ve come to the fitting place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Utility Information for Filipino vacationers. On this article, we’ll stroll you thru the complete software course of from reserving an appointment to nailing the interview on the US Embassy.
For Filipino nationals, any plan to journey to america begins with a visa. And the US visa is likely one of the most extremely coveted for a lot of causes. First, the US has an enormous Filipino diaspora that almost all of us know somebody there. Second, the American affect on Philippine tradition is plain. Many people dream of stepping foot in New York or Las Vegas or California. And lastly, it’s also a robust visa to have. When you could have a US visa, you might be allowed entry not simply to america but additionally a number of different international locations that in any other case require a separate visa.
It’s no marvel that at any given day, there’s all the time a protracted queue on the US Embassy in Manila. However for many people, the US visa isn’t notably straightforward to safe. That’s why we’re half-grateful and half-relieved after we lastly obtained ours. Sure, we have been simply granted a US B1/B2 visa. Right here’s how we obtained ours.
WHAT IS A B1/B2 U.S. VISA?
A B1/B2 visa is a non-immigrant short-term visa that can allow you to enter america for enterprise (B1), for tourism (B2) or BOTH.
You should utilize it to do any of the next:
- BUSINESS (B1)
Assembly with enterprise associates
Attending a convention, seminar or conference
Negotiating a contract or settlement
Settling an property - TOURISM (B2)
Trip (leisure/vacation)
Visiting family members or buddies
Attending social occasions (live shows, festivals, reveals)
Medical remedy
You can’t use a B1/B2 visa to review, work, or keep for good in america.
A B1/B2 visa is normally:
- multiple-entry
- legitimate for 10 years
Sure, the 10-year validity is the most effective half. When you’re granted a visa, you gained’t have to renew or apply once more for a very long time.
I utilized for a B1/B2 visa, so each factor you’ll learn on this article is about that particular sort of visa. In case you’re making use of for a piece visa, pupil visa or inexperienced card, we gained’t be of any assist as a result of they’re exterior our private experiences.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A U.S. VISA?
UPDATE! Beginning September 28, 2024, US visa candidates within the Philippines have to schedule TWO appointments:
APPOINTMENT 1: BIOMETRICS ENROLLMENT
First, an applicant should safe an appointment for the biometrics assortment on the Visa Utility Middle (VAC). The what? You learn it proper: Visa Utility Middle or VAC. That is the place you’ll have your picture taken and your fingerprints scanned BEFORE your interview on the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard.
APPOINTMENT 2: CONSULAR/VISA INTERVIEW
The applicant will then be directed to the web page to set the appointment for the visa interview on the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard.
For extra particulars, see steps under.
Right here’s the total software course of when making use of for a US B1/B2 visa.
Step 1: Accomplish the DS-160 Kind.
The DS-160 type serves as your software type. To fill it out, go to this web page.
Each visa applicant should full a DS-160 type. In case you’re touring as a bunch, every one among you should fill it out individually.
Observe these steps:
- Underneath LOCATION WHERE YOU’LL BE APPLYING, select PHILIPPINES, MANILA. Enter the CAPTCHA code under it. Then click on on the pink START AN APPLICATION button.
- On the subsequent web page, you’ll be assigned an APPLICATION ID.
- Choose a safety query and enter a solution. DO NOT overlook your reply to this to keep away from getting locked out of your account.
Then it’s time to lastly fill out the DS-160 type. It’s a really prolonged type — with 10 pages — so allot loads of time. In case you really feel such as you gained’t be capable to end, simply save your progress. Don’t rush it. And ensure each reply is correct. These are the small print you might want to put together:
- PERSONAL DETAILS. Title, delivery date, delivery place, and so forth.
- TRAVEL DETAILS. You’ll be requested to pick the aim of your journey. Because you’re making use of for a B1/B2 visa, select Non permanent Enterprise Pleasure Customer. Underneath SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).
Underneath it, provide the small print of your journey. When you’ve got a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. In case you haven’t finalized these but, simply choose an meant date of arrival within the US and meant length of your keep.
Please take a screenshot of this half so that you gained’t overlook the small print you entered. The consul/visa officer will likely be asking you about your journey particulars when it’s time for interview.
- TRAVEL COMPANIONS. Declare the individuals with whom you may be touring to america.
- PREVIOUS US TRAVELS. If it’s your first time touring to the US, simply reply NO. You’ll even be requested when you’ve been denied a US visa earlier than or denied entry into the nation. Reply honestly as a result of they’ve a file of it anyway.
- ADDRESS. Enter your present handle.
- CONTACT INFORMATION. Apart out of your contact numbers, you’ll additionally want to offer your social media account handles/usernames together with Fb, X (Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram. You’ll additionally enter your passport particulars right here.
- U.S. CONTACT. If you realize somebody within the US, present their identify and your relationship with them. Ideally, this individual ought to be capable to confirm your id if deemed needed.
- FAMILY. Enter the names and delivery dates of your dad and mom. When you’ve got family members in america, you must also present their particulars right here.
In case you don’t know anybody within the US, simply enter the identify and handle of an institution that you simply plan to go to as a part of your journey. It may be a museum, a theater, or a theme park, so long as it’s a part of your itinerary. - WORK AND EDUCATION BACKGROUND. Listing down your present and former employers and work experiences (together with job descriptions) and universities/colleges you attended. Sure, this half really feel such as you’re constructing a CV.
- SECURITY AND BACKGROUND. Final web page! Reply a collection of questions concerning the international locations you visited, organizations you might be affiliated with, and navy connections, if any. You’ll additionally reply health-related questions.
After this, you’ll be prompted to UPLOAD A PHOTO. It needs to be in coloration and brought inside the previous six (6) months. No eyeglasses, hats, or head cowl (apart from faith or medical causes). The hyperlinks under can information you:
After importing a photograph, overview all the data you provided. Be certain each single factor is right. If that’s the case, submit your software.
⚠️ IMPORTANT! The second you hit SUBMIT, you gained’t be capable to make any adjustments to the shape, so guarantee each bit of knowledge is right. If there are nonetheless particulars that you might want to double-check or verify, you’ll be able to simply save your software within the meantime and simply return to it when you have already got the proper knowledge.
After submitting the shape, the subsequent web page will show your DS-160 CONFIRMATION PAGE, which accommodates your affirmation quantity and barcode. You could have the choice to print it out or e mail to your self. (I selected to e mail it to myself so I may get again to it anytime sooner or later.)
You’ll have to current this DS-160 Affirmation Web page on the U.S. Embassy when it’s time to your interview.
Step 2: Create a USTravelDocs.com account.
To enroll in an account, go to this web page.
All first-time candidates and customers within the new system should register first.
- Faucet the “Visa Login” button on the high proper of the Nonimmigrant Visa software web page.
- Click on the “Join now” hyperlink on the backside of the login web page.
- Set your username and password. Then, enter all of the requested particulars: e mail handle, full identify, and so forth.
- Learn the Privateness Coverage web page, then press “Proceed”. That’s it!
USTravelDocs.com is the official visa appointment service portal of the U.S. State Division. That is the web site the place you’ll e-book an appointment. Nevertheless, you gained’t be capable to safe a slot till you’ve paid the visa charge. For now, all you might want to do is create an account.
⚠️ IMPORTANT! It’s greatest to start out your software at the least three months earlier than your meant date of departure to the US. The brand new appointment course of now not announce the earliest out there appointment date, so make certain to allot sufficient time to your software.
Whereas Vins and I utilized for our visa utilizing the outdated system, our teammate Asta skilled making use of for hers by way of the brand new software system. She created her USTravelDocs account, completed her D-160 type, and scheduled her appointments round final week of November. For biometric assortment on the Visa Utility Middle (VAC) at Parqal, the earliest out there date was December 3. In the meantime, for her consul interview on the US Embassy, the earliest out there schedule was January 7. Extra particulars on this later.
That is particularly essential in case your journey dates aren’t versatile: say, you’re attending a marriage, a live performance, or a convention. Allotting ample additional time will assist you to gauge when you’ll be capable to get a visa in time to your journey and determine appropriately.
The very last thing you need is to pay the hefty visa charge solely to seek out that there are not any extra appointment slots earlier than your meant journey date.
NOTE: The earliest appointment date adjustments infrequently, when candidates e-book, transfer or cancel their reserved slots. So simply because there are not any slots in your goal month doesn’t imply there gained’t be sooner or later.
If every little thing seems good, then proceed to Step 3.
Step 3: Pay the visa charge.
Go online to your USTravelDocs account. Then, comply with these steps:
- Click on START APPLICATION on the left sidebar. On the subsequent web page, fill out the shape along with your private particulars, contact info, mailing handle, and passport particulars.
- On the Visa Choices web page, choose NONIMMIGRANT VISA after which choose BUSINESS/TOURISM. Typically, the B-1 and B-2 visas are issued as one — B-1/B-2.
- Enter your DS-160 Affirmation Quantity. Be sure you’re coming into the proper quantity as a result of the system will use it to hyperlink your appointment to the fitting DS-160 type.
- Reply the interview waiver accordingly, then handle dependents, in case you have any. When you’ve got dependents who will likely be with you on the interview, enter their particulars and their very own DS-160 affirmation numbers.
- Select the way you wish to obtain your passport again: FREE PICK UP or DELIVERY. The latter entails a separate charge, to be paid money upon supply.
- Lastly, proceed to the cost web page. Select your most popular mode of cost.
The U.S. Visa charge prices USD 185. On the time of this writing, it’s roughly PHP 10,800. Within the case of our teammate Asta, it’s round PHP 11,500.
Within the outdated appointment system, there are just a few methods to settle this charge, together with paying by way of on-line switch like PesoNet. However within the new appointment system, at the least what Asta skilled, solely two choices have been introduced: Money and Credit score/Debit Card.
Asta selected to pay together with her Credit score/Debit card. By the way in which, if in case you’ll be able to’t pay instantly, you’ll be able to simply come again to this web page one other time. Don’t fear, it can save you all the information you entered so that you gained’t have to fill out the shape once more while you log in once more. Simply be aware of the pay slip’s expiration.
- Go online to your USTravelDocs web page. On your property web page, click on “Proceed Utility”.
- You’ll then be directed to the Fee Choices web page. Select the way you wish to settle your visa charge. Asta selected to pay by way of credit score/debit card.
- Verify the cost particulars. That is the way it seems for card cost. We’re unsure of the method for money funds. In case you select card cost, you’ll additionally discover the cost slip’s expiration date right here. In case you’re carried out checking, proceed to cost.
- Save a replica of your receipt. You’ll be able to print it or take picture of it.
- Verify your receipt. Merely, click on “Submit”. After this, you’ll be able to proceed to setting your schedules for biometric assortment and consul interview.
Step 4: Schedule your biometrics and interview appointments.
Sure, appointments. Two appointments: one for biometrics enrollment and the opposite for the interview.
Within the earlier visa software system, all we would have liked to do was to schedule an interview appointment as a result of assortment of your biometrics — taking your picture and scanning your fingerprints — would even be performed on the identical day because the interview and on the identical website.
However with the brand new visa software system, you might be required to schedule a separate appointment to the newly launched Visa Utility Middle (VAC) at Parqal in Parañaque to your biometrics enrollment.
Assuming your cost is already within the system, go surfing to your USTravelDocs.com account on this web page. This is similar portal on Step 2.
NOTE: For the VAC Appointment, select MANILA OFC. Dates with out there slots are marked in inexperienced. You’ll be able to nonetheless reschedule your appointment.
When you’re carried out setting your appointment for the biometrics assortment, the brand new system will then direct you to the web page the place you can also make your second appointment — visa interview on the U.S. Embassy.
It can show the earliest out there appointment date. This may be months from now. In my case, I utilized in September however the earliest out there schedule was in January of the subsequent yr. However don’t lose hope. Now and again, some candidates cancel their appointments and new slots open up. We discovered that this normally occurs within the wee hours of the evening. True sufficient, after staying up at evening, we have been capable of snag an appointment in October, which was only a month away.
As for Asta, she utilized in November 2024 and the earliest out there schedule for the consul interview was on January 7, 2025. Once more, it’s essential to allot loads of lead time.
Anyway, simply choose the date that greatest works for you. You’ll be able to change or reschedule it later when you discover a higher date.
That’s it! You have already got an appointment.
USEFUL TIPS:
- You’ll be able to reschedule your appointment. Simply click on on the RESCHEDULE APPOINTMENT button and choose an earlier or later date. Sure, it’s doable to likelihood upon an earlier schedule. That’s what occurred to me.
- GROUP APPOINTMENT choice is offered, however I haven’t tried it but, so I don’t know the way it works. However when you’re making use of with a bunch, attempt clicking the CREATE GROUP REQUEST button on the left sidebar.
Step 5: Collect the U.S. Visa Necessities.
Whereas ready to your interview appointment date, collect all of the required paperwork.
- Legitimate passport
- Appointment affirmation web page
- DS-160 affirmation quantity
- your MRV charge cost receipt quantity
- Current ID picture (2×2)
- All of your outdated passports
- Proof of revenue, property possession, ITR
- Letter out of your employer detailing your place, wage, and so forth.
- Journey itinerary
These are the fundamental necessities. In lots of instances, these are all you want. BUT — and it’s an enormous however — it’s greatest to have all the opposite doable supporting paperwork listed on the embassy’s web site:
And others, relying in your objective of journey. See screenshot of the official web site under:
I indicated “doable” supporting paperwork as a result of in some situations, they don’t ask to see these docs. Actually, I accomplished and introduced all of those however they didn’t test any of those, apart from my passport and appointment affirmation. In Vins’s case, the one different factor they checked was his 2×2 picture.
But it surely doesn’t imply that you simply’ll expertise the identical. Among the candidates subsequent to me on the road have been requested to current a few of these supporting paperwork. It’s actually greatest to be ready.
By the way in which, when you discover: the US Embassy doesn’t require financial institution certificates, financial institution statements, or any proof of funds. They’re not on the record, so don’t trouble. It’s not wanted in any respect.
Step 6: Go to VAC for Biometrics Enrollment.
On the day of your appointment, head to the Visa Utility Middle (VAC).
Handle: Visa Utility Middle (VAC), Parqal, Constructing 8, Degree 3, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Tambo, Parañaque, Metro Manila. The identify of the constructing is Cogon Constructing. It sits subsequent to The Market.
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday, 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
You could convey the next:
- Appointment Affirmation Letter
- DS-160 Affirmation Web page
- Legitimate Passport
- Visa Payment Receipt
This comes first earlier than your visa interview. Right here’s a walkthrough:
- Once you arrive on the VAC, you may be greeted by a workers on the constructing’s entrance and will likely be given a ticket quantity or queue quantity.
- Enter the constructing and take the elevator to Degree 3.
- Coming from the elevator, flip proper. Then, a VAC workers will test your paperwork and appointment affirmation letter.
- After that, you may be directed to the safety test and ready space.
- Then, the VAC workers will test your paperwork once more and they’ll affix a sticker with a QR code on the again cowl of your passport.
- Wait to your flip to have your picture taken and your fingerprints scanned.
- And that’s it! On to the subsequent step: Interview!
Notes:
- Please arrive at the least quarter-hour earlier than your appointed time.
- The VAC can also be an choice for passport assortment/pick-up. That’s, when you selected to select up your passport as an alternative of have it delivered to you. No appointment wanted for this.
- Other than biometrics assortment, the VAC additionally accepts interview waiver and/or 221g doc submission. You don’t have to set an appointment for this , too.
Step 7: Go to the U.S. Embassy for the Interview.
On the day of your appointment, present up on the U.S. Embassy for the interview. Right here’s the handle:
Embassy of america of America
1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
Arrive at the least quarter-hour earlier than your schedule. Truly, they begin letting candidates in an hour earlier than the indicated schedule.
Site visitors is horrible in Manila, so allot loads of lead time. In case you’re coming from distant — particularly when you’re flying in from the province — and also you’re searching for a spot to remain, contemplate a lodge that’s near the U.S. Embassy. There are a variety of good selections within the surrounding space. SEARCH FOR MANILA HOTELS HERE! ✅
However bear in mind these:
- Devices or gadgets with batteries and ON-OFF change are NOT ALLOWED inside. Sure, that features cellphones, tablets, laptops, and even digital watches (Apple watch, and so forth.).
- Meals, sharp objects, crayons, and markers are additionally prohibited. Chances are you’ll be refused entry and your account could also be locked for 30 days when you’re caught sneaking any of those in.
- No lockers or baggage counters within the neighborhood. The most effective factor to do is to go along with a companion and ask them to attend for you someplace shut. You’ll discover Espresso Bean and Tea Leaf, Military Navy, 7/11, Starbucks Cafe, and McDonald’s on the opposite aspect of the street. Simply agree to fulfill at a sure time, old-school-style.
When you’re gadget-free, you might now go inside. You’ll have to fall in line each step of the way in which. Listed below are the steps:
- Hand your printed appointment affirmation web page and your passport to the workers exterior.
- Enter the constructing for the safety test. They’re very thorough, so don’t try and sneak in something prohibited.
- Observe the indicators and the workers to the subsequent constructing. Chances are you’ll be requested right here to current your passport and a few of your necessities. In my case, they solely checked my passport. In Vins’s case, passport and a couple of×2 ID picture.
- Subsequent, you may be requested to get your fingers scanned for additional verification.
- You’ll be assigned a counter for the interview correct. Queue up at that counter and wait to your flip.
- Interview correct. This normally simply takes round 5 (5) minutes. It’s very fast as a result of likely, purposes have been evaluated even earlier than the interview. It’s very possible that they have already got a tentative determination previous to your appointment and the interview is only for validation or to settle any doubts, if any. Additionally it is a possibility to test supporting paperwork ought to they really feel the necessity to. In my case, they didn’t test something. However among the different candidates within the space have been requested to current supporting docs. I’ll share all of the questions within the subsequent part under.
– In case your software is accepted, they’ll take your passport so they might affix the visa sticker.– In case your software is rejected or denied, they’ll let you know proper then and there. (Sure, inside listening to vary of different candidates on the queue.)
Step 8: Wait to your visa!
You need to obtain your passport with a visa only a few days after your interview.
In my case, I obtained mine by means of LBC Padala simply 2 days later. If I used to be interviewed on Monday, I obtained the visa on Wednesday morning. I paid PHP 440 upon supply.
In case you selected PICKUP while you booked an appointment, you might declare your passport/visa at LBC Mall of Asia.
UPDATE! Beginning September 28, 2024, expenses for premium doc supply and premium doc submission will likely be revised to Php430 per software, no matter whether or not you chose the premium service earlier than the mentioned date.
U.S. VISA INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Right here’s a rundown of all of the questions the consul/visa officer requested me throughout the interview.
- The place within the US are you going?
- What’s the aim of the journey?
- How lengthy is the journey?
- Are you married? Do you could have youngsters?
- With whom are you touring?
- What do you do for a residing?
- How lengthy have you ever been doing this job?
- What’s the identify of your employer?
That was it. Eight questions. Or 9. Vins obtained even fewer questions: six.
The officer’s tone was very informal and pleasant, so I responded in the identical trend.
After the final query, the officer typed one thing on the pc, confronted me once more, and mentioned, “OK, your visa is accepted. We’ll simply mail the passport to you.”
However as a result of the interview is performed in an open space, whereas I used to be in line, I may truly hear the questions that the opposite candidates have been getting. These embrace:
- Will you be visiting somebody within the US?
- Have you ever visited different international locations earlier than?
- The place in (state) are you going?
⚠️ IMPORTANT! These questions that the officers/consuls are asking are the identical questions on the DS-160 type, so it’s essential that you realize and bear in mind the solutions you entered while you have been conducting it on-line. They’re not asking as a result of they wish to know — they already know — however they in all probability are simply making an attempt for verify or take a look at in case your solutions are constant.
The issue is, when a variety of time has handed between the day you completed the DS-160 type and the day of your interview, it’s straightforward to overlook the small print. So make a copy of your solutions on the DS-160 type.
There you could have it. That’s the complete U.S. visa software course of as I skilled it.
Earlier than I finish this text, I simply should commend the folks working on the U.S. Embassy for the sleek course of and nice expertise. From the Filipino workers and the American interviewers, each one was pleasant, mild, and respectful. Even once they have been delivering rejections, they did it in a method that weren’t condescending or belittling. At different embassies, I’ve seen fairly excessive horses when making use of for a visa, so this was actually a breath of recent air. Kudos to all the employees on the US Embassy!
The place to Keep Close to the U.S. Embassy Manila
In case you’re coming from the province and also you wish to spend the evening at a lodge near the U.S. Embassy, listed below are some properties across the space.
Seek for extra Manila Motels!
Updates Log
2025 1 10 – Up to date photographs, steps, and data to mirror adjustments in visa software and appointment system
2024 9 30 – Up to date to mirror adjustments in visa software course of that took impact on September 28, 2024
2024 8 4 – First up