Planning to journey to the US for the primary time? You’ve come to the precise place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Utility Information for Filipino vacationers. On this article, we’ll stroll you thru the whole utility course of from reserving an appointment to nailing the interview on the US Embassy.
For Filipino nationals, any plan to journey to the US begins with a visa. And the US visa is without doubt 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 have got a US visa, you’re allowed entry not simply to the US 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 at all times a protracted queue on the US Embassy in Manila. However for many people, the US visa isn’t significantly simple to safe. That’s why we’re half-grateful and half-relieved once we lastly obtained ours. Sure, we had 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 the US 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 relations or mates
Attending social occasions (live shows, festivals, exhibits)
Medical remedy
You can not use a B1/B2 visa to check, work, or keep for good in the US.
A B1/B2 visa is often:
- multiple-entry
- legitimate for 10 years
Sure, the 10-year validity is the perfect 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. For those who’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 photograph 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 utility 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 utility 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 should fill it out individually.
Observe these steps:
- Below LOCATION WHERE YOU’LL BE APPLYING, select PHILIPPINES, MANILA. Enter the CAPTCHA code beneath it. Then click on on the purple START AN APPLICATION button.
- On the following web page, you’ll be assigned an APPLICATION ID.
- Choose a safety query and enter a solution. DO NOT neglect 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 have the ability to end, simply save your progress. Don’t rush it. And ensure each reply is correct. These are the main points you might want to put together:
- PERSONAL DETAILS. Title, beginning date, beginning place, and so on.
- TRAVEL DETAILS. You’ll be requested to pick out the aim of your journey. Because you’re making use of for a B1/B2 visa, select Non permanent Enterprise Pleasure Customer. Below SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).
Below it, provide the main points of your journey. When you’ve got a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. For those who haven’t finalized these but, simply choose an meant date of arrival within the US and meant period of your keep.
Please take a screenshot of this half so that you gained’t neglect the main points you entered. The consul/visa officer shall 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 US.
- PREVIOUS US TRAVELS. If it’s your first time touring to the US, simply reply NO. You’ll even be requested if you happen to’ve been denied a US visa earlier than or denied entry into the nation. Reply in truth as a result of they’ve a file of it anyway.
- ADDRESS. Enter your present tackle.
- 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 have the ability to confirm your identification if deemed crucial.
- FAMILY. Enter the names and beginning dates of your mother and father. When you’ve got relations in the US, you also needs to present their particulars right here.
For those who don’t know anybody within the US, simply enter the identify and tackle 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/faculties 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’re 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 must be in colour and brought inside 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, assessment all the data you provided. Make sure that each single factor is appropriate. If that’s the case, submit your utility.
⚠️ IMPORTANT! The second you hit SUBMIT, you gained’t have the ability to make any adjustments to the shape, so guarantee each bit of data is appropriate. If there are nonetheless particulars that you might want to double-check or verify, you may simply save your utility within the meantime and simply return to it when you have already got the proper information.
After submitting the shape, the following web page will show your DS-160 CONFIRMATION PAGE, which comprises your affirmation quantity and barcode. You will have 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 on 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 utility 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 tackle, full identify, 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. Nonetheless, you gained’t have the ability 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 finest to start out your utility no less than three months earlier than your meant date of departure to the US. The brand new appointment course of not announce the earliest obtainable appointment date, so make sure that to allot sufficient time on your utility.
Whereas Vins and I utilized for our visa utilizing the outdated system, our teammate Asta skilled making use of for hers through the brand new utility 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 Middle (VAC) at Parqal, the earliest obtainable date was December 3. In the meantime, for her consul interview on the US Embassy, the earliest obtainable schedule was January 7. Extra particulars on this later.
That is particularly necessary in case your journey dates should not versatile: say, you’re attending a marriage, a live performance, or a convention. Allotting ample additional time will help you gauge if you happen to’ll have the ability to get a visa in time on your journey and determine appropriately.
The very last thing you need is to pay the hefty visa charge solely to search out that there aren’t 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 aren’t any slots in your goal month doesn’t imply there gained’t be sooner or later.
If every part seems to be 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 following web page, fill out the shape together with your private particulars, contact info, mailing tackle, and passport particulars.
- On the Visa Choices web page, choose NONIMMIGRANT VISA after which choose BUSINESS/TOURISM. Usually, the B-1 and B-2 visas are issued as one — B-1/B-2.
- Enter your DS-160 Affirmation Quantity. Ensure you’re coming into the proper quantity as a result of the system will use it to hyperlink your appointment to the precise DS-160 kind.
- Reply the interview waiver accordingly, then handle dependents, when you’ve got any. When you’ve got dependents who shall be with you on the interview, enter their particulars and their very own DS-160 affirmation numbers.
- Select the way you need 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 through on-line switch like PesoNet. However within the new appointment system, no less than what Asta skilled, solely two choices had been offered: Money and Credit score/Debit Card.
Asta selected to pay together with her Credit score/Debit card. By the best way, if in case you may’t pay straight away, you may 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 online to your USTravelDocs web page. On your house web page, click on “Proceed Utility”.
- You’ll then be directed to the Cost Choices web page. Select the way you need to settle your visa charge. Asta selected to pay through credit score/debit card.
- Examine the cost particulars. That is the way it seems for card cost. We’re unsure 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 achieved checking, proceed to cost.
- Save a replica of your receipt. You possibly can print it or take photograph of it.
- Verify your receipt. Merely, click on “Submit”. After this, you may 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 utility system, all we would have liked to do was to schedule an interview appointment as a result of assortment of your biometrics — taking your photograph and scanning your fingerprints — would even be carried out on the identical day because the interview and on the identical website.
However with the brand new visa utility system, you’re required to schedule a separate appointment to the newly launched Visa Utility Middle (VAC) at Parqal in Parañaque on your biometrics enrollment.
Assuming your cost is already within the system, go browsing 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 obtainable slots are marked in inexperienced. You possibly can nonetheless reschedule your appointment.
If you find yourself achieved 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 obtainable appointment date. This may be months from now. In my case, I utilized in September however the earliest obtainable schedule was in January of the following yr. However don’t lose hope. Once in a while, some candidates cancel their appointments and new slots open up. We discovered that this often occurs within the wee hours of the night time. True sufficient, after staying up at night time, we had 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 obtainable 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 possibly can change or reschedule it later if you happen to discover a higher date.
That’s it! You have already got an appointment.
USEFUL TIPS:
- You possibly can reschedule your appointment. Simply click on on the RESCHEDULE APPOINTMENT button and choose an earlier or later date. Sure, it’s potential to likelihood upon an earlier schedule. That’s what occurred to me.
- GROUP APPOINTMENT possibility is out there, however I haven’t tried it but, so I do not know the way it works. However if you happen to’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 on 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 photograph (2×2)
- All of your outdated 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 a giant however — it’s finest to have all the opposite potential supporting paperwork listed on the embassy’s web site:
And others, relying in your goal of journey. See screenshot of the official web site beneath:
I indicated “potential” supporting paperwork as a result of in some situations, they don’t ask to see these docs. The truth is, I accomplished and introduced all of those however they didn’t verify any of those, apart from my passport and appointment affirmation. In Vins’s case, the one different factor they checked was his 2×2 photograph.
Nevertheless it doesn’t imply that you simply’ll expertise the identical. Among 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 best way, if you happen to 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 Middle (VAC).
Tackle: Visa Utility Middle (VAC), Parqal, Constructing 8, Stage 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 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 employees on the constructing’s entrance and shall be given a ticket quantity or queue quantity.
- Enter the constructing and take the elevator to Stage 3.
- Coming from the elevator, flip proper. Then, a VAC employees will verify your paperwork and appointment affirmation letter.
- After that, you can be directed to the safety verify and ready space.
- Then, the VAC employees will verify your paperwork once more and they’ll affix a sticker with a QR code on the again cowl of your passport.
- Wait on your flip to have your photograph taken and your fingerprints scanned.
- And that’s it! On to the following 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, if you happen to selected to choose up your passport as a substitute of have it delivered to you. No appointment wanted for this.
- Except for 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 tackle:
Embassy of the US 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 distant — particularly if you happen to’re flying in from the province — and also you’re searching for a spot to remain, take into account a resort that’s near the U.S. Embassy. There are a number of good decisions within the surrounding space. SEARCH FOR MANILA HOTELS HERE! ✅
However keep in mind these:
- Devices or objects 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. Chances are you’ll be refused entry and your account could also be locked for 30 days if you happen to’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 street. Simply agree to fulfill at a sure time, old-school-style.
When you’re gadget-free, chances are you’ll now go inside. You’ll have to fall in line each step of the best way. Listed here are the steps:
- Hand your printed appointment affirmation web page and your passport to the employees exterior.
- Enter the constructing for the safety verify. They’re very thorough, so don’t try to sneak in something prohibited.
- Observe the indicators and the employees to the following 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 pair of×2 ID photograph.
- 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 on your flip.
- Interview correct. This often 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. It’s also a chance to verify supporting paperwork ought to they really feel the necessity to. In my case, they didn’t verify something. However a number of 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 utility is accredited, they may take your passport so they might affix the visa sticker.– In case your utility is rejected or denied, they may let you know proper then and there. (Sure, inside listening to vary of different candidates on the queue.)
Step 8: Wait on your visa!
It is best to obtain your passport with a visa just some days after your interview.
In my case, I obtained mine by way 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.
For those who selected PICKUP once you booked an appointment, chances are you’ll declare your passport/visa at LBC Mall of Asia.
UPDATE! Beginning September 28, 2024, prices for premium doc supply and premium doc submission shall be revised to Php430 per utility, 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 have got 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 style.
After the final query, the officer typed one thing on the pc, confronted me once more, and mentioned, “OK, your visa is accredited. We’ll simply mail the passport to you.”
However as a result of the interview is carried out in an open space, whereas I used to be in line, I may truly 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 realize and keep in mind the solutions you entered once you had been carrying out it on-line. They’re not asking as a result of they need to know — they already know — however they in all probability are simply attempting for verify or check in case your solutions are constant.
The issue is, when a number of time has handed between the day you achieved the DS-160 kind and the day of your interview, it’s simple to neglect the main points. So make a copy of your solutions on the DS-160 kind.
There you have got it. That’s the whole U.S. visa utility course of as I skilled it.
Earlier than I finish this text, I simply must commend the folks working on the U.S. Embassy for the graceful course of and nice expertise. From the Filipino employees and the American interviewers, each one was pleasant, light, and respectful. Even after they had 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 contemporary 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 need to spend the night time 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 photographs, steps, and knowledge to mirror adjustments in visa utility and appointment system
2024 9 30 – Up to date to mirror adjustments in visa utility course of that took impact on September 28, 2024
2024 8 4 – First up
