Planning to journey to america for the primary time? You’ve come to the correct place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Utility Information for Filipino vacationers. On this article, we’ll stroll you thru your entire utility 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 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’s also a robust visa to have. When you’ve a US visa, you might be allowed entry not simply to america 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 all the time 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 received ours. Sure, we have been simply granted a US B1/B2 visa. Right here’s how we received 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 (concert events, festivals, reveals)
  Medical therapy

You can’t use a B1/B2 visa to review, work, or keep for good in america.

A B1/B2 visa is often:

• multiple-entry
• legitimate for 10 years

Sure, the 10-year validity is one of the best half. When you’re granted a visa, you received’t must 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 received’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 must 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 under.

Right here’s the total utility course of when making use of for a US B1/B2 visa.

Step 1: Accomplish the DS-160 Type.

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. In case you’re touring as a gaggle, every certainly one of you need to fill it out individually.

Comply with these steps:

1. Underneath LOCATION WHERE YOU’LL BE APPLYING, select PHILIPPINES, MANILA. Enter the CAPTCHA code under it. Then click on on the crimson START AN APPLICATION button.
2. On the subsequent web page, you’ll be assigned an APPLICATION ID.
3. 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. In case you really feel such as you received’t have the ability to end, simply save your progress. Don’t rush it. And ensure each reply is correct. These are the small print that you must put together:

1. PERSONAL DETAILS. Title, delivery date, delivery place, and so forth.
2. 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. Underneath SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).
    
   Underneath it, provide the small print of your journey. If in case you have a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. In case you 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 received’t neglect the small print you entered. The consul/visa officer will likely be asking you about your journey particulars when it’s time for interview.

   

3. TRAVEL COMPANIONS. Declare the individuals with whom you may be touring to america.

   

4. 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.
5. ADDRESS. Enter your present tackle.
6. 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.

   

7. U.S. CONTACT. If you already know somebody within the US, present their title and your relationship with them. Ideally, this particular person ought to have the ability to confirm your identification if deemed obligatory.

   

8. FAMILY. Enter the names and delivery dates of your mother and father. If in case you have family members in america, you also needs to present their particulars right here.
    
   In case you don’t know anybody within the US, simply enter the title 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.
9. 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.

   

10. SECURITY AND BACKGROUND. Final web page! Reply a sequence of questions in regards to the international locations you visited, organizations you might be 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 must be in colour and brought throughout the previous six (6) months. No eyeglasses, hats, or head cowl (aside from faith or medical causes). The hyperlinks under can information you:

After importing a photograph, evaluate all the knowledge you provided. Be certain that each single factor is right. If that’s the case, submit your utility.

⚠️ IMPORTANT! The second you hit SUBMIT, you received’t have the ability to make any modifications to the shape, so guarantee each bit of knowledge is right. If there are nonetheless particulars that that you must 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 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 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 must 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 enroll in an account, go to this web page.

All first-time candidates and customers within the new system should register first.

1. Faucet the “Visa Login” button on the prime proper of the Nonimmigrant Visa utility web page.

   

2. Click on the “Enroll now” hyperlink on the backside of the login web page.

   

3. Set your username and password. Then, enter all of the requested particulars: e-mail tackle, full title, and so forth.

   

4. 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 guide an appointment. Nonetheless, you received’t have the ability to safe a slot till you’ve paid the visa charge. For now, all that you must do is create an account.

⚠️ IMPORTANT! It’s finest to start out your utility a minimum of three months earlier than your meant date of departure to the US. The brand new appointment course of not announce the earliest accessible appointment date, so be sure that to allot sufficient time on your utility.

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 utility system. She created her USTravelDocs account, completed 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 accessible date was December 3. In the meantime, for her consul interview on the US Embassy, the earliest accessible schedule was January 7. Extra particulars on this later.

That is particularly essential in case your journey dates usually are not versatile: say, you’re attending a marriage, a live performance, or a convention. Allotting ample additional time will help you gauge should you’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 seek out that there aren’t any extra appointment slots earlier than your meant journey date.

NOTE: The earliest appointment date modifications every so often, when candidates guide, transfer or cancel their reserved slots. So simply because there aren’t any slots in your goal month doesn’t imply there received’t be sooner or later.

If the whole lot seems good, then proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Pay the visa charge.

Go browsing to your USTravelDocs account. Then, observe these steps:

1. Click on START APPLICATION on the left sidebar. On the subsequent web page, fill out the shape together with your private particulars, contact info, mailing tackle, and passport particulars.

   

2. On the Visa Choices web page, choose NONIMMIGRANT VISA after which choose BUSINESS/TOURISM. Most often, the B-1 and B-2 visas are issued as one — B-1/B-2.

   

3. 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 correct DS-160 kind.
4. Reply the interview waiver accordingly, then handle dependents, when you’ve got any. If in case you have dependents who will likely be with you on the interview, enter their particulars and their very own DS-160 affirmation numbers.

   

5. 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.
6. 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 previous appointment system, there are a couple of methods to settle this charge, together with paying through on-line switch like PesoNet. However within the new appointment system, a minimum of what Asta skilled, solely two choices have been offered: Money and Credit score/Debit Card.

Asta selected to pay along with her Credit score/Debit card. By the way in which, if in case you may’t pay instantly, 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 received’t must fill out the shape once more if you log in once more. Simply pay attention to the pay slip’s expiration.

1. Go browsing to your USTravelDocs web page. On your property web page, click on “Proceed Utility”.

   

2. 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 through credit score/debit card.

   

3. Test the cost particulars. That is the way it seems for card cost. We’re undecided 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 accomplished checking, proceed to cost.

   

4. Save a replica of your receipt. You’ll be able to print it or take photograph of it.

   

5. Affirm 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 wanted 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 web site.

However with the brand new visa utility system, you might be 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 similar portal on Step 2.

NOTE: For the VAC Appointment, select MANILA OFC. Dates with accessible slots are marked in inexperienced. You’ll be able to nonetheless reschedule your appointment.

If you end up accomplished 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 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 subsequent yr. However don’t lose hope. Every so often, some candidates cancel their appointments and new slots open up. We discovered that this often occurs within the wee hours of the evening. True sufficient, after staying up at evening, we have 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 accessible 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’ll be able to change or reschedule it later should 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 potential to likelihood upon an earlier schedule. That’s what occurred to me.
• GROUP APPOINTMENT choice 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 gaggle, 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.

1. Legitimate passport
2. Appointment affirmation web page
3. DS-160 affirmation quantity
4. your MRV charge cost receipt quantity
5. Latest ID photograph (2×2)

These are the essential necessities. In lots of instances, these are all you want. BUT — and it’s an enormous however — it’s finest to have all the opposite potential supporting paperwork listed on the embassy’s web site:

6. All of your previous passports
7. Proof of revenue, property possession, ITR
8. Letter out of your employer detailing your place, wage, and so forth.
9. Journey itinerary

And others, relying in your objective of journey. See screenshot of the official web site under:

I indicated “potential” 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, aside from my passport and appointment affirmation. In Vins’s case, the one different factor they checked was his 2×2 photograph.

However it doesn’t imply that you simply’ll expertise the identical. A number 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 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 record, so don’t hassle. 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 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 have to deliver 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:

1. If 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.
2. Enter the constructing and take the elevator to Stage 3.
3. Coming from the elevator, flip proper. Then, a VAC workers will test your paperwork and appointment affirmation letter.
4. After that, you may be directed to the safety test and ready space.
5. 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.
6. Wait on your flip to have your photograph taken and your fingerprints scanned.
7. And that’s it! On to the subsequent step: Interview!

Notes:

• Please arrive a minimum of quarter-hour earlier than your appointed time.
• The VAC can be an choice for passport assortment/pick-up. That’s, should you selected to select 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 must 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 america of America
1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila

Arrive a minimum of 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. In case you’re coming from distant — particularly should you’re flying in from the province — and also you’re in search of a spot to remain, contemplate a resort that’s near the U.S. Embassy. There are quite a lot 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 cell phones, 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 should you’re caught sneaking any of those in.
• No lockers or baggage counters within the neighborhood. One of the best 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 satisfy at a sure time, old-school-style.

When you’re gadget-free, chances are you’ll now go inside. You’ll must fall in line each step of the way in which. Listed here are the steps:

1. Hand your printed appointment affirmation web page and your passport to the workers outdoors.
2. Enter the constructing for the safety test. They’re very thorough, so don’t try to sneak in something prohibited.
3. Comply with 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 pair of×2 ID photograph.
4. Subsequent, you may be requested to get your fingers scanned for additional verification.
5. You’ll be assigned a counter for the interview correct. Queue up at that counter and wait on your flip.
6. Interview correct. This often simply takes round 5 (5) minutes. It’s very fast as a result of most likely, purposes have been evaluated even earlier than the interview. It’s very possible 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’s also a chance to test supporting paperwork ought to they really feel the necessity to. In my case, they didn’t test something. However a few of 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 utility is authorized, they are going to take your passport so they might affix the visa sticker.

   – In case your utility 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 on your visa!

It is best to obtain your passport with a visa just some days after your interview.

In my case, I received mine by way of LBC Padala simply 2 days later. If I used to be interviewed on Monday, I received the visa on Wednesday morning. I paid PHP 440 upon supply.

In case you selected PICKUP if you booked an appointment, chances are you’ll 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 utility, 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’ve youngsters?
• With whom are you touring?
• What do you do for a dwelling?
• How lengthy have you ever been doing this job?
• What’s the title of your employer?

That was it. Eight questions. Or 9. Vins received 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 stated, “OK, your visa is authorized. 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 really 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 kind, so it’s essential that you already know and bear in mind the solutions you entered if you have been engaging in it on-line. They’re not asking as a result of they wish to know — they already know — however they most likely are simply attempting for verify or take a look at in case your solutions are constant.

The issue is, when quite a lot of time has handed between the day you completed the DS-160 kind and the day of your interview, it’s simple to neglect the small print. So make a copy of your solutions on the DS-160 kind.

There you’ve it. That’s your entire U.S. visa utility course of as I skilled it.

Earlier than I finish this text, I simply need to 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, light, and respectful. Even after 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 resort near the U.S. Embassy, listed here are some properties across the space.

Seek for extra Manila Motels!

Updates Log

2025 1 10 – Up to date photographs, steps, and data to replicate modifications in visa utility and appointment system
2024 9 30 – Up to date to replicate modifications in visa utility course of that took impact on September 28, 2024
2024 8 4 – First up