Planning to journey to the USA for the primary time? You’ve come to the suitable place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Utility Information for Filipino vacationers. On this article, we’ll stroll you thru all the 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 without doubt 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 is usually a strong visa to have. When you’ve 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 surprise that at any given day, there’s all the time 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 acquired ours. Sure, we have been simply granted a US B1/B2 visa. Right here’s how I acquired it.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
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 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 relations or buddies
Attending social occasions (live shows, festivals, exhibits)
Medical remedy
You can’t use a B1/B2 visa to check, 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 sort of visa. In the event 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?
Right here’s the complete software course of when making use of for a US B1/B2 visa.
Notice that Steps 1 to three are literally interchangeable. However I consider that how I organized it under is the order that makes essentially the most sense.
Step 1: Create a USTravelDocs.com account.
To enroll in an account, go to this web page.
- Click on NEW USER on the backside of the web page.
- Enter your e-mail deal with and full identify on the following web page.
- Set a password.
- Click on SUBMIT.
USTravelDocs.com is the official visa appointment service portal of the U.S. State Division. That is the web site the place you’ll ebook an appointment, however you don’t want to do this this early. You gained’t have the ability to safe a slot till you’ve paid the visa charge. For now, all you could do is create an account.
Why? As a result of as quickly as you’ve an account, you’ll have the ability to see the EARLIEST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT DATE.
That is particularly essential in case your journey dates should not versatile: say, you’re attending a marriage, a live performance, or a convention. Having visibility on the earliest accessible date will permit you to gauge if you happen to’ll have the ability to get a visa in time to your journey and resolve 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.
Notice: The earliest appointment date modifications occasionally, when candidates ebook, 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 thing appears good, then proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Accomplish the DS-160 Kind.
The DS-160 type serves as your software type. To fill it out, go to to this web page.
Each visa applicant should full a DS-160 type. In the event you’re touring as a gaggle, every considered one of you will need to fill it out individually.
Comply with these steps:
- Beneath LOCATION WHERE YOU’LL BE APPLYING, select PHILIPPINES, MANILA. Enter the CAPTCHA code under 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 type. It’s a really prolonged type — with 10 pages — so allot loads of time. In the event you 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 could put together:
- PERSONAL DETAILS. Title, beginning date, beginning place, and many others.
- 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 Short-term Enterprise Pleasure Customer. Beneath SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).
Beneath it, provide the main points of your journey. When you have a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. In the event 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 neglect the main points 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 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 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 report of it anyway.
- ADDRESS. Enter your present deal with.
- 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 id if deemed vital.
- FAMILY. Enter the names and beginning dates in case your mother and father. When you have relations in the USA, you also needs to present their particulars right here.
In the event you don’t know anybody within the US, simply enter the identify and deal with 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. Record 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 sequence of questions in regards to 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 shade and brought throughout 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, assessment all the knowledge you provided. Ensure each single factor is appropriate. If that’s the case, submit your software.
⚠️ IMPORTANT! The second you hit SUBMIT, you gained’t have the ability to make any modifications to the shape, so guarantee each bit of data is appropriate. If there are nonetheless particulars that you could double-check or affirm, you possibly can 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 following web page will show your DS-160 CONFIRMATION PAGE, which accommodates your affirmation quantity and barcode. You’ve got the choice to print it out or e-mail to your self. (I selected to e-mail it to myself so I might 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 3: PAY THE VISA FEE.
The U.S. Visa charge prices USD 185 (roughly PHP 10,800 on the time of this writing).
There a couple of methods to settle this charge however I selected to pay by way of PesoNet.
- Go surfing to this USTravelDocs web page. As quickly because the web page hundreds, it would generate a reference quantity.
- Save the reference quantity. You may take a screenshot of it or copy-paste it someplace. You’ll want this quantity when it’s time to ship the fee.
- Comply with the step-by-step fee directions on the backside of the web page. As a result of we’re speaking about paying a giant quantity right here, no want for me to repost the steps right here as some particulars may change sooner or later. Simply comply with the steps on the web page to a tee, ensuring that you simply’re coming into the proper reference quantity.
That’s it! It would take some time for the fee to replicate within the system. In accordance with the web site, it ought to register on the following enterprise day, after 1:30 PM.
However in my case, I needed to wait a pair extra days earlier than I might transfer on to the following step.
Step 4: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.
Assuming your fee is already within the system, chances are you’ll now ebook an interview appointment. Log into your USTravelDocs.com account on this web page. This is similar portal on Step 1.
On the left sidebar, it would show the earliest accessible appointment date. This may be months from now. In my case, I utilized in September however the earliest accessible schedule was in January of the following yr. However don’t lose hope. Every so often, some candidates cancel their appointments and new slots open up. We discovered that this normally occurs within the wee hours of the night time. True sufficient, after staying up at night time, we have been capable of snag an appointment in October, which was only a month away.
Anyway, if you happen to’re lastly able to ebook an appointment, simply comply with these steps:
- Click on on NEW APPLICATION/SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT on the left sidebar. On the following web page, choose NONIMMIGRANT VISA after which choose BUSINESS/TOURISM.
- Fill out the following type together with your private particulars and 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 suitable DS-160 type. When you have 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 need to obtain your passport again: FREE PICK UP or DELIVERY. The latter entails a separate charge, to be paid money upon supply.
- On the PAYMENT web page, enter your RECEIPT NUMBER. In case your visa charge fee is already within the system, you must have the ability to ebook an appointment. In any other case, 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 whenever you log in once more.
- Choose the date lang that finest works for you. You may 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 may reschedule your appointment. Simply click on on the RESCHEDULE APPOINTMENT button on the left sidebar 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 offered, 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 gaggle, strive clicking the GROUP SCHEDULING REQUEST button on the left sidebar.
Step 5: GATHER THE U.S. VISA REQUIREMENTS.
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 fee receipt quantity
- Current ID picture (2×2)
- All of your outdated passports
- Proof of earnings, property possession, ITR
- Letter out of your employer detailing your place, wage, and many others.
- Journey itinerary
These are the essential necessities. In lots of circumstances, these three 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 function of journey. See screenshot of the official web site under:
I indicated “potential” supporting paperwork as a result of in some cases, they don’t ask to see these docs. In reality, I accomplished and introduced all of those however they didn’t verify any of those, aside 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. A few of the candidates subsequent to me on the road have 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 record, so don’t trouble. It’s not wanted in any respect.
Step 6: INTERVIEW
On the day of your appointment, present up on the U.S. Embassy for the interview. Right here’s the deal with:
Embassy of the USA of America
1201 Roxas Blvd, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
Arrive not less than quarter-hour earlier than your schedule. Really, they begin letting candidates in an hour earlier than the indicated schedule.
Visitors is horrible in Manila, so allot loads of lead time. In the event you’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, contemplate 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 many others.).
- Meals, sharp objects, crayons, and markers are additionally prohibited. You could 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 together with a companion and ask them to attend for you someplace shut. There’s a 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, chances are you’ll now go inside. You’ll have to fall in line each step of the best way. Listed below are the steps:
- Current your printed appointment affirmation web page on the workers exterior. They are going to affix a sticker with a QR code on the again cowl of your passport.
- Enter the constructing for the safety verify. They’re very thorough, so don’t try and sneak in something prohibited.
- Comply with the indicators and the workers to the following constructing. You could 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 picture.
- Bear biometrics scan. They are going to take your fingerprints at one of many counters. After that, you’ll be assigned one other counter for the interview correct. Queue up at that counter and wait to your flip.
- Interview correct. This normally simply takes round 5 minutes. It’s very fast as a result of most likely, functions have been evaluated even earlier than the interview. It’s very seemingly that they have already got a tentative resolution previous to your appointment and the interview is only for validation or to settle any doubts, if any. It is usually a chance to verify supporting paperwork ought to they really feel the necessity to. In my case, they didn’t verify 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 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 let you know proper then and there. (Sure, inside listening to vary of different candidates on the queue.)
Step 7: WAIT FOR YOUR VISA!
You must obtain your passport with a visa just some days after your interview.
In my case, I acquired mine by way of LBC Padala simply 2 days later. If I used to be interviewed on Monday, I acquired the visa on Wednesday morning. I paid PHP 440 upon supply.
In the event you selected PICKUP whenever you booked an appointment, chances are you’ll declare your passport/visa at LBC Mall of Asia.
U.S. VISA INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Right here’s a rundown of all of the questions the consul/visa officer requested me in the course of 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’ve youngsters?
- With whom are you touring?
- What do you do for a dwelling?
- How lengthy have I been doing this job?
- What’s the identify of your employer?
That was it. Eight questions. Or 9. Vins acquired 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 mentioned, “OK, your visa is authorised. 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 might really hear the questions that the opposite candidates have 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 type, so it’s essential that you realize and bear in mind the solutions you entered whenever you have been conducting 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 making an attempt for affirm or check in case your solutions are constant.
The issue is, when plenty of time has handed between the day you achieved the DS-160 type and the day of your interview, it’s straightforward to neglect the main points. So make a copy of your solutions on the DS-160 type.
There you’ve it. That’s all the U.S. visa software course of as I skilled it.
Earlier than I finish this text, I simply need to 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, light, 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 contemporary air. Kudos to all the employees on the US Embassy!
The place to Keep Close to the U.S. Embassy Manila
In the event you’re coming from the province and also you need to spend the night time at a resort near the U.S. Embassy, listed below are some properties across the space.
Seek for extra Manila Motels!
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