U.S. TOURIST VISA APPLICATION Necessities & Course of for Filipinos + Interview Questions

Planning to journey to the US for the primary time? You’ve come to the appropriate place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Software Information for Filipino vacationers. On this article, we’ll stroll you thru all the 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 the majority 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 is usually a robust visa to have. When you may have a US visa, you might be allowed entry not simply to the US but additionally a number of different nations that in any other case require a separate visa.

It’s no marvel 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 notably simple to safe. That’s why we’re half-grateful and half-relieved once we lastly bought ours. Sure, we had been simply granted a US B1/B2 visa. Right here’s how I bought it.

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 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 mates
  Attending social occasions (concert events, festivals, reveals)
  Medical therapy

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 one of the best half. When you’re granted a visa, you gained’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 kind of visa. Should 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 total utility course of when making use of for a US B1/B2 visa.

Notice that Steps 1 to three are literally interchangeable. However I imagine that how I organized it beneath is the order that makes probably the most sense.

Step 1: Create a USTravelDocs.com account.

To enroll in an account, go to this web page.

1. Click on NEW USER on the backside of the web page.
2. Enter your electronic mail tackle and full identify on the subsequent web page.
3. Set a password.
4. 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 e book an appointment, however you don’t want to try this this early. 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.

Why? As a result of as quickly as you may have an account, you’ll have the ability to see the EARLIEST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT DATE.

That is particularly essential in case your journey dates are usually not versatile: say, you’re attending a marriage, a live performance, or a convention. Having visibility on the earliest obtainable date will assist 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 seek out that there are not any extra appointment slots earlier than your meant journey date.

Notice: The earliest appointment date adjustments sometimes, 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 part appears to be like good, then proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Accomplish the DS-160 Type.

The DS-160 type serves as your utility type. To fill it out, go to to this web page.

Each visa applicant should full a DS-160 type. Should you’re touring as a bunch, every one in all it’s essential to fill it out individually.

Comply with these steps:

1. Below LOCATION WHERE YOU’LL BE APPLYING, select PHILIPPINES, MANILA. Enter the CAPTCHA code beneath it. Then click on on the pink 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 type. It’s a really prolonged type — with 10 pages — so allot loads of time. Should 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 small print you might want to put together:

1. PERSONAL DETAILS. Identify, 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. Below SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).

   Below it, provide the small print of your journey. When you have a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. Should you haven’t finalized these but, simply decide 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 small print you entered. The consul/visa officer can be asking you about your journey particulars when it’s time for interview.



3. TRAVEL COMPANIONS. Declare the individuals with whom you can be touring to the US.



4. 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 honestly as a result of they’ve a report of it anyway.
5. ADDRESS. Enter your present tackle.
6. 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.



7. U.S. CONTACT. If you recognize 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 essential.



8. FAMILY. Enter the names and delivery dates in case your dad and mom. When you have relations in the US, you also needs to present their particulars right here.

   Should you 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.

9. 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.



10. SECURITY AND BACKGROUND. Final web page! Reply a sequence of questions in regards to the nations you visited, organizations you might be affiliated with, and navy connections, if any. You’ll additionally reply health-related questions.

After this, you’ll be prompted to UPLOAD A PHOTO. It needs to be in coloration and brought 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, assessment all the data you equipped. Make certain each single factor is right. In that 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 right. 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 subsequent web page will show your DS-160 CONFIRMATION PAGE, which accommodates your affirmation quantity and barcode. You have got 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 must 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.

1. Go online to this USTravelDocs web page. As quickly because the web page masses, it’ll generate a reference quantity.
2. 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 cost.
3. Comply with the step-by-step cost directions on the backside of the web page. As a result of we’re speaking about paying an enormous quantity right here, no want for me to repost the steps right here as some particulars would possibly change sooner or later. Simply observe 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 cost to replicate within the system. In line with the web site, it ought to register on the subsequent enterprise day, after 1:30 PM.

However in my case, I needed to wait a pair extra days earlier than I may transfer on to the subsequent step.

Step 4: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

Assuming your cost is already within the system, chances are you’ll now e book 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’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 subsequent yr. However don’t lose hope. From time to time, 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 had been capable of snag an appointment in October, which was only a month away.

Anyway, if you happen to’re lastly able to e book an appointment, simply observe these steps:

1. Click on on NEW APPLICATION/SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT on the left sidebar. On the subsequent web page, choose NONIMMIGRANT VISA after which choose BUSINESS/TOURISM.
2. Fill out the subsequent type along 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 appropriate DS-160 type. When you have dependents who can be with you on the interview, enter their particulars and their very own DS-160 affirmation numbers.
3. 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.
4. On the PAYMENT web page, enter your RECEIPT NUMBER. In case your visa charge cost is already within the system, it’s best to have the ability to e book 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 information you entered so that you gained’t must fill out the shape once more if you log in once more.
5. 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 doable 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 don’t know the way it works. However if you happen to’re making use of with a bunch, attempt 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.

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

These are the fundamental necessities. In lots of instances, these three 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:

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

And others, relying in your function 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. In actual fact, 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 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, 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 hassle. 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 tackle:

Embassy of the US of America
1201 Roxas Blvd, 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. Should you’re coming from far-off — particularly if you happen to’re flying in from the province — and also you’re on the lookout for a spot to remain, think about a resort that’s near the U.S. Embassy. There are loads of good decisions within the surrounding space. SEARCH FOR MANILA HOTELS HERE! ✅

However bear 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 forth.).
• Meals, sharp objects, crayons, and markers are additionally prohibited. You might 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. One of the best factor to do is to go along with a companion and ask them to attend for you someplace shut. There’s a Starbucks cafe and McDonald’s on the opposite facet of the highway. 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 below are the steps:

1. 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.
2. Enter the constructing for the safety verify. They’re very thorough, so don’t try and sneak in something prohibited.
3. Comply with 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 pair of×2 ID picture.
4. Endure 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.
5. Interview correct. This often simply takes round 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 resolution previous to your appointment and the interview is only for validation or to settle any doubts, if any. It’s also a possibility 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 permitted, 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 7: WAIT FOR YOUR VISA!

You must obtain your passport with a visa just some days after your interview.

In my case, I bought mine by 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.

Should you selected PICKUP if 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 may have children?
• 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 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 mentioned, “OK, your visa is permitted. 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 embrace:

• Will you be visiting somebody within the US?
• Have you ever visited different nations 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 recognize and bear in mind the solutions you entered if you had been carrying out it on-line. They’re not asking as a result of they wish to know — they already know — however they most likely are simply making an attempt for verify or take a look at in case your solutions are constant.

The issue is, when loads of time has handed between the day you achieved the DS-160 type 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 type.

There you may have it. That’s all the U.S. visa utility course of as I skilled it.

Earlier than I finish this text, I simply should commend the folks working on the U.S. Embassy for the graceful course of and nice expertise. From the Filipino workers and the American interviewers, each one was pleasant, light, and respectful. Even after 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

Should 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 Inns!