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

Planning to journey to the USA for the primary time? You’ve come to the precise place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Software 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 the USA begins with a visa. And the US visa is likely one of the most extremely coveted for a lot of causes. First, the US has 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 is usually a robust visa to have. When you will have a US visa, you might be 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 at all times 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 after we lastly acquired ours. Sure, we have been simply granted a US B1/B2 visa. Right here’s how I acquired 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 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 kinfolk or buddies
  Attending social occasions (live shows, festivals, reveals)
  Medical therapy

You can’t use a B1/B2 visa to check, work, or keep for good in the USA.

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 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. For those who’re making use of for a piece visa, scholar visa or inexperienced card, we gained’t be of any assist as a result of they’re exterior our private experiences.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A U.S. VISA?

Right here’s the complete 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 essentially the most sense.

Step 1: Create a USTravelDocs.com account.

To join an account, go to this web page.

1. Click on NEW USER on the backside of the web page.
2. Enter your e mail handle and full identify on the following 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 ebook an appointment, however you don’t want to do this this early. You gained’t be capable to safe a slot till you’ve paid the visa charge. For now, all you should do is create an account.

Why? As a result of as quickly as you will have an account, you’ll be capable 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 accessible date will assist you to gauge when you’ll be capable to get a visa in time in your journey and determine appropriately.

The very last thing you need is to pay the hefty visa charge solely to search out that there are not any extra appointment slots earlier than your supposed journey date.

Notice: The earliest appointment date modifications infrequently, when candidates ebook, 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 good, then proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Accomplish the DS-160 Kind.

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. For those who’re touring as a gaggle, every one in every of you will need to fill it out individually.

Observe these steps:

1. Beneath LOCATION WHERE YOU’LL BE APPLYING, select PHILIPPINES, MANILA. Enter the CAPTCHA code beneath it. Then click on on the crimson START AN APPLICATION button.
2. On the following 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. For those who really feel such as you gained’t be capable to end, simply save your progress. Don’t rush it. And ensure each reply is correct. These are the main points you should put together:

1. PERSONAL DETAILS. Identify, delivery date, delivery place, and so forth.
2. 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. Beneath SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).

   Beneath 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 decide an supposed date of arrival within the US and supposed 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 can 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 the USA.



4. PREVIOUS US TRAVELS. If it’s your first time touring to the US, simply reply NO. You’ll even be requested when you’ve been denied a US visa earlier than or denied entry into the nation. Reply honestly as a result of they’ve a file of it anyway.
5. ADDRESS. Enter your present handle.
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 somebody within the US, present their identify and your relationship with them. Ideally, this particular person ought to be capable to confirm your id if deemed needed.



8. FAMILY. Enter the names and delivery dates in case your mother and father. When you’ve got kinfolk in the USA, you also needs to present their particulars right here.

   For those who don’t know anybody within the US, simply enter the identify and handle of an institution that you just 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/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 concerning 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 shade and brought throughout the previous six (6) months. No eyeglasses, hats, or head cowl (aside from faith or medical causes). The hyperlinks beneath can information you:

After importing a photograph, assessment all the data you provided. Ensure each single factor is right. If that’s the case, submit your utility.

⚠️ IMPORTANT! The second you hit SUBMIT, you gained’t be capable to make any modifications to the shape, so guarantee each bit of data is right. If there are nonetheless particulars that you should 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 knowledge.

After submitting the shape, the following web page will show your DS-160 CONFIRMATION PAGE, which accommodates your affirmation quantity and barcode. You might have 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 in 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 just a few methods to settle this charge however I selected to pay through PesoNet.

1. Go online to this USTravelDocs web page. As quickly because the web page hundreds, it should 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 fee.
3. Observe the step-by-step fee 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 may change sooner or later. Simply comply with the steps on the web page to a tee, ensuring that you just’re getting into the proper reference quantity.

That’s it! It’d take some time for the fee to mirror within the system. In keeping 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 may transfer on to the following step.

Step 4: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

Assuming your fee is already within the system, you could now ebook an interview appointment. Log into your USTravelDocs.com account on this web page. This is identical portal on Step 1.

On the left sidebar, it should 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 12 months. 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 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, when you’re lastly able to ebook an appointment, simply comply with these steps:

1. Click on on NEW APPLICATION/SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT on the left sidebar. On the following web page, choose NONIMMIGRANT VISA after which choose BUSINESS/TOURISM.
2. Fill out the following type together with your private particulars and your DS-160 Affirmation Quantity. Be sure you’re getting into the proper quantity as a result of the system will use it to hyperlink your appointment to the precise DS-160 type. When you’ve got 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 fee is already within the system, it is best to be capable 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 information you entered so that you gained’t must fill out the shape once more whenever you log in once more.
5. Choose the date lang that finest works for you. You may change or reschedule it later when you discover a higher date.

That’s it! You have already got an appointment.

USEFUL TIPS:

• You may reschedule your appointment. Simply click on on the RESCHEDULE APPOINTMENT button on the left sidebar and choose an earlier or later date. Sure, it’s attainable to probability upon an earlier schedule. That’s what occurred to me.
• GROUP APPOINTMENT choice is accessible, however I haven’t tried it but, so I do not know the way it works. However when you’re making use of with a gaggle, attempt clicking the GROUP SCHEDULING REQUEST button on the left sidebar.

Step 5: GATHER THE U.S. VISA REQUIREMENTS.

Whereas ready in 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 fee receipt quantity
5. Latest ID photograph (2×2)

These are the essential necessities. In lots of circumstances, these three are all you want. BUT — and it’s an enormous however — it’s finest to have all the opposite attainable 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 goal of journey. See screenshot of the official web site beneath:

I indicated “attainable” supporting paperwork as a result of in some situations, they don’t ask to see these docs. In reality, I accomplished and introduced all of those however they didn’t examine 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.

But it surely doesn’t imply that you just’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 best way, when 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 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 handle:

Embassy of the USA of America
1201 Roxas Blvd, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila

Arrive not less than quarter-hour earlier than your schedule. Truly, they begin letting candidates in an hour earlier than the indicated schedule.

Site visitors is horrible in Manila, so allot loads of lead time. For those who’re coming from far-off — particularly when you’re flying in from the province — and also you’re searching for a spot to remain, think about a resort that’s near the U.S. Embassy. There are numerous good selections 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 cell phones, tablets, laptops, and even digital watches (Apple watch, and so forth.).
• Meals, sharp objects, crayons, and markers are additionally prohibited. It’s possible you’ll be refused entry and your account could also be locked for 30 days when 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. There’s a Starbucks cafe and McDonald’s on the opposite facet of the highway. Simply agree to fulfill at a sure time, old-school-style.

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

1. Current your printed appointment affirmation web page on the employees 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 examine. They’re very thorough, so don’t try to sneak in something prohibited.
3. Observe the indicators and the employees to the following constructing. It’s possible 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. 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 in your flip.
5. Interview correct. This often 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 determination previous to your appointment and the interview is only for validation or to settle any doubts, if any. It is usually a chance to examine supporting paperwork ought to they really feel the necessity to. In my case, they didn’t examine something. However a number 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 beneath.
   – In case your utility is permitted, they may take your passport so they may 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 7: WAIT FOR YOUR VISA!

It is best to obtain your passport with a visa only a few days after your interview.

In my case, I acquired mine by 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.

For those who selected PICKUP whenever you booked an appointment, you could 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 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 will have children?
• With whom are you touring?
• What do you do for a residing?
• 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 stated, “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 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 type, so it’s essential that and bear in mind the solutions you entered whenever 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 making an attempt for verify or check in case your solutions are constant.

The issue is, when numerous time has handed between the day you completed the DS-160 type 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 type.

There you will have 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 employees and the American interviewers, each one was pleasant, light, and respectful. Even after they have been delivering rejections, they did it in a approach that weren’t condescending or belittling. At different embassies, I’ve seen fairly excessive horses when making use of for a visa, so this was actually a breath of recent air. Kudos to all the employees on the US Embassy!

The place to Keep Close to the U.S. Embassy Manila

For those who’re coming from the province and also you wish to spend the night time at a resort near the U.S. Embassy, listed below are some properties across the space.

Seek for extra Manila Resorts!