Planning to journey to the USA 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 whole software course of from reserving an appointment to nailing the interview on the US Embassy.
For Filipino nationals, any plan to journey to the USA 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 a large Filipino diaspora that the majority of us know somebody there. Second, the American affect on Philippine tradition is simple. 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 might have a US visa, you’re allowed entry not simply to the USA but in addition 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 at all times an extended queue on the US Embassy in Manila. However for many people, the US visa isn’t significantly straightforward to safe. That’s why we’re half-grateful and half-relieved after we lastly bought ours. Sure, we had been simply granted a US B1/B2 visa. Right here’s how we bought 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 the USA for enterprise (B1), for tourism (B2) or BOTH.
You should use 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 kinfolk or mates
Attending social occasions (live shows, festivals, exhibits)
Medical remedy
You can’t use a B1/B2 visa to review, work, or keep for good in the USA.
A B1/B2 visa is normally:
- multiple-entry
- legitimate for 10 years
Sure, the 10-year validity is the very best 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 kind of visa. For those who’re making use of for a piece visa, scholar visa or inexperienced card, we gained’t be of any assist as a result of they’re outdoors 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 Heart (VAC). The what? You learn it proper: Visa Utility Heart or VAC. That is the place you should 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 beneath.
Right here’s the complete software course of when making use of for a US B1/B2 visa.
Step 1: Accomplish the DS-160 Kind.
The DS-160 kind serves as your software kind. To fill it out, go to this web page.
Each visa applicant should full a DS-160 kind. For those who’re touring as a bunch, every one in every of you could fill it out individually.
Observe these steps:
- Beneath LOCATION WHERE YOU’LL BE APPLYING, select PHILIPPINES, MANILA. Enter the CAPTCHA code beneath it. Then click on on the crimson 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 kind. It’s a really prolonged kind — with 10 pages — so allot loads of time. For those who 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 main points you want to put together:
- PERSONAL DETAILS. Title, beginning date, beginning place, and so on.
- 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 Momentary Enterprise Pleasure Customer. Beneath SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).
Beneath it, provide the main points of your journey. If in case you have a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. For those who haven’t finalized these but, simply decide 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 main points you entered. The consul/visa officer might be asking you about your journey particulars when it’s time for interview.
- TRAVEL COMPANIONS. Declare the individuals with whom you can be touring to the USA.
- PREVIOUS US TRAVELS. If it’s your first time touring to the US, simply reply NO. You’ll even be requested should you’ve been denied a US visa earlier than or denied entry into the nation. Reply honestly as a result of they’ve a document of it anyway.
- ADDRESS. Enter your present handle.
- CONTACT INFORMATION. Apart out of your contact numbers, you’ll additionally want to supply 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 understand somebody within the US, present their title and your relationship with them. Ideally, this individual ought to be capable to confirm your id if deemed obligatory.
- FAMILY. Enter the names and beginning dates of your mother and father. If in case you have kinfolk in the USA, you must also present their particulars right here.
For those who don’t know anybody within the US, simply enter the title 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. Checklist 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 in regards to the international locations you visited, organizations you’re affiliated with, and army 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 colour and brought throughout the previous six (6) months. No eyeglasses, hats, or head cowl (apart from faith or medical causes). The hyperlinks beneath can information you:
After importing a photograph, evaluate all the data you provided. Ensure that 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 modifications to the shape, so guarantee each bit of data is right. If there are nonetheless particulars that you 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 information.
After submitting the shape, the subsequent web page will show your DS-160 CONFIRMATION PAGE, which accommodates your affirmation quantity and barcode. You’ve the choice to print it out or electronic mail to your self. (I selected to electronic 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 in your interview.
Step 2: Create a USTravelDocs.com account.
To join 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: electronic mail handle, full title, and so on.
- 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 price. For now, all you want to do is create an account.
⚠️ IMPORTANT! It’s finest to start out your software no less than 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 in your software.
Whereas Vins and I utilized for our visa utilizing the previous system, our teammate Asta skilled making use of for hers through the brand new software system. She created her USTravelDocs account, achieved her D-160 kind, and scheduled her appointments round final week of November. For biometric assortment on the Visa Utility Heart (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 will not be versatile: say, you’re attending a marriage, a live performance, or a convention. Allotting ample further time will help you gauge should you’ll be capable to get a visa in time in your journey and determine appropriately.
The very last thing you need is to pay the hefty visa price solely to seek out that there are not any extra appointment slots earlier than your meant journey date.
NOTE: The earliest appointment date modifications every so often, 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 price.
Go browsing 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 data, 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 getting into the proper quantity as a result of the system will use it to hyperlink your appointment to the fitting DS-160 kind.
- Reply the interview waiver accordingly, then handle dependents, you probably have any. If in case you have dependents who might 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 price, to be paid money upon supply.
- Lastly, proceed to the cost web page. Select your most well-liked mode of cost.
The U.S. Visa price 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 previous appointment system, there are just a few methods to settle this price, together with paying through on-line switch like PesoNet. However within the new appointment system, no less than what Asta skilled, solely two choices had 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 immediately, you’ll be able to simply come again to this web page one other time. Don’t fear, it can save you all the data you entered so that you gained’t have to fill out the shape once more once you log in once more. Simply be aware of the pay slip’s expiration.
- Go browsing 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 price. Asta selected to pay through credit score/debit card.
- Verify the cost particulars. That is the way it seems for card cost. We’re undecided of the method for money funds. For those who select card cost, you’ll additionally discover the cost slip’s expiration date right here. For those who’re performed checking, proceed to cost.
- Save a replica of your receipt. You may print it or take picture of it.
- Affirm 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 wanted 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 similar web site.
However with the brand new visa software system, you’re required to schedule a separate appointment to the newly launched Visa Utility Heart (VAC) at Parqal in Parañaque in your biometrics enrollment.
Assuming your cost is already within the system, go surfing to your USTravelDocs.com account on this web page. This is identical portal on Step 2.
NOTE: For the VAC Appointment, select MANILA OFC. Dates with out there slots are marked in inexperienced. You may nonetheless reschedule your appointment.
If you end up performed setting your appointment for the biometrics assortment, the brand new system will then direct you to the web page the place you may make your second appointment — visa interview on the U.S. Embassy.
It’ll 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 12 months. However don’t lose hope. Once in a while, 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 had been in a position to 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 finest works for you. You may change or reschedule it later should you discover a higher date.
That’s it! You have already got an appointment.
USEFUL TIPS:
- You may 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 possibility is accessible, however I haven’t tried it but, so I don’t know the way it works. However should you’re making use of with a bunch, strive clicking the CREATE GROUP REQUEST button on the left sidebar.
Step 5: Collect the U.S. Visa Necessities.
Whereas ready in your interview appointment date, collect all of the required paperwork.
- Legitimate passport
- Appointment affirmation web page
- DS-160 affirmation quantity
- your MRV price cost receipt quantity
- Latest ID picture (2×2)
- All of your previous passports
- Proof of revenue, property possession, ITR
- Letter out of your employer detailing your place, wage, and so on.
- Journey itinerary
These are the fundamental necessities. In lots of circumstances, these are all you want. BUT — and it’s an enormous however — it’s finest 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 beneath:
I indicated “doable” supporting paperwork as a result of in some cases, they don’t ask to see these docs. The truth is, 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.
Nevertheless it doesn’t imply that you simply’ll expertise the identical. A few of the candidates subsequent to me on the road had been requested to current a few of these supporting paperwork. It’s actually finest to be ready.
By the way in which, should you discover: the US Embassy doesn’t require financial institution certificates, financial institution statements, or any proof of funds. They’re not on the checklist, 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 Heart (VAC).
Deal with: Visa Utility Heart (VAC), Parqal, Constructing 8, Degree 3, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Tambo, Parañaque, Metro Manila. The title 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 will need to carry the next:
- Appointment Affirmation Letter
- DS-160 Affirmation Web page
- Legitimate Passport
- Visa Charge Receipt
This comes first earlier than your visa interview. Right here’s a walkthrough:
- Whenever you arrive on the VAC, you can be greeted by a workers on the constructing’s entrance and might 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 can 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 in your flip to have your picture taken and your fingerprints scanned.
- And that’s it! On to the subsequent step: Interview!
Notes:
- Please arrive no less than quarter-hour earlier than your appointed time.
- The VAC can also be an possibility for passport assortment/pick-up. That’s, should 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 the USA of America
1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
Arrive no less than quarter-hour earlier than your schedule. Truly, they begin letting candidates in an hour earlier than the indicated schedule.
Visitors is horrible in Manila, so allot loads of lead time. For those who’re coming from far-off — particularly should you’re flying in from the province — and also you’re in search of a spot to remain, think about a resort that’s near the U.S. Embassy. There are plenty of good decisions 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 on.).
- Meals, sharp objects, crayons, and markers are additionally prohibited. You might be refused entry and your account could also be locked for 30 days should you’re caught sneaking any of those in.
- No lockers or baggage counters within the neighborhood. The perfect 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 facet of the highway. Simply agree to fulfill at a sure time, old-school-style.
When you’re gadget-free, it’s possible you’ll 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 outdoors.
- Enter the constructing for the safety test. They’re very thorough, so don’t try to sneak in something prohibited.
- Observe the indicators and the workers to the subsequent constructing. You might 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 can 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 in 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 probably that they have already got a tentative choice previous to your appointment and the interview is only for validation or to settle any doubts, if any. It is usually a chance 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 had been requested to current supporting docs. I’ll share all of the questions within the subsequent part beneath.
– In case your software is authorised, they are going to take your passport so they may affix the visa sticker.– In case your software is rejected or denied, they are going to inform you proper then and there. (Sure, inside listening to vary of different candidates on the queue.)
Step 8: Wait in your visa!
You must obtain your passport with a visa just some days after your interview.
In my case, I bought mine via LBC Padala simply 2 days later. If I used to be interviewed on Monday, I bought the visa on Wednesday morning. I paid PHP 440 upon supply.
For those who selected PICKUP once you booked an appointment, it’s possible you’ll declare your passport/visa at LBC Mall of Asia.
UPDATE! Beginning September 28, 2024, fees for premium doc supply and premium doc submission might be revised to Php430 per software, no matter whether or not you chose the premium service earlier than the stated date.
U.S. VISA INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Right here’s a rundown of all of the questions the consul/visa officer requested me through 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 might have children?
- With whom are you touring?
- What do you do for a residing?
- How lengthy have you ever been doing this job?
- What’s the title of your employer?
That was it. Eight questions. Or 9. Vins bought even fewer questions: six.
The officer’s tone was very informal and pleasant, so I responded in the identical vogue.
After the final query, the officer typed one thing on the pc, confronted me once more, and stated, “OK, your visa is authorised. 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 really hear the questions that the opposite candidates had been getting. These embody:
- 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 kind, so it’s essential that you understand and bear in mind the solutions you entered once you had been engaging in 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 plenty of time has handed between the day you achieved the DS-160 kind and the day of your interview, it’s straightforward to overlook the main points. So make a copy of your solutions on the DS-160 kind.
There you might have it. That’s the whole U.S. visa software course of as I skilled it.
Earlier than I finish this text, I simply must commend the individuals 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 had been delivering rejections, they did it in a means 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
For those who’re coming from the province and also you wish to spend the evening at a resort near the U.S. Embassy, listed here are some properties across the space.
Seek for extra Manila Accommodations!
Updates Log
2025 1 10 – Up to date images, steps, and knowledge to mirror modifications in visa software and appointment system
2024 9 30 – Up to date to mirror modifications in visa software course of that took impact on September 28, 2024
2024 8 4 – First up