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 correct place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Software Information for Filipino vacationers. On this article, we’ll stroll you thru your complete 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 likely 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’s also a robust visa to have. When you might have a US visa, you might be allowed entry not simply to the USA but additionally a number of different nations 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 straightforward to safe. That’s why we’re half-grateful and half-relieved once we lastly acquired ours. Sure, we had 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 family members or buddies
  Attending social occasions (concert events, festivals, exhibits)
  Medical therapy

You can’t use a B1/B2 visa to review, 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 one of the 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 kind of visa. In case you’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 software course of when making use of for a US B1/B2 visa.

Be aware that Steps 1 to three are literally interchangeable. However I imagine that how I organized it under 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 tackle and full title 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 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 price. For now, all you should do is create an account.

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

That is particularly vital 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 out there date will can help you gauge in the event 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 price solely to search out that there aren’t any extra appointment slots earlier than your supposed journey date.

Be aware: The earliest appointment date modifications every now and then, 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 little thing seems to be 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 case you’re touring as a bunch, every one in every of you should fill it out individually.

Comply with these steps:

1. Beneath 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 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. In case 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 should put together:

1. PERSONAL DETAILS. Title, beginning date, beginning place, and many others.
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. Beneath SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).

   Beneath it, provide the main points of your journey. You probably have a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. In case you haven’t finalized these but, simply decide an supposed date of arrival within the US and supposed 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 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 in the event you’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.
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 crucial.



8. FAMILY. Enter the names and beginning dates in case your mother and father. You probably have family members in the USA, 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 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. Checklist 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 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 colour 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 equipped. Be sure each single factor is right. In that 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 knowledge is right. If there are nonetheless particulars that you should 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 knowledge.

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 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 on your interview.

Step 3: PAY THE VISA FEE.

The U.S. Visa price prices USD 185 (roughly PHP 10,800 on the time of this writing).

There a number of methods to settle this price however I selected to pay through PesoNet.

1. Go surfing to this USTravelDocs web page. As quickly because the web page hundreds, it should generate a reference quantity.
2. Save the reference quantity. You’ll be able to 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 a giant quantity right here, no want for me to repost the steps right here as some particulars may change sooner or later. Simply observe 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 cost to mirror within the system. Based on 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 cost is already within the system, you might now e book 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 out there appointment date. This may be months from now. In my case, I utilized in September however the earliest out there 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 normally 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, in the event you’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 following web page, choose NONIMMIGRANT VISA after which choose BUSINESS/TOURISM.
2. Fill out the following type along with your private particulars and your DS-160 Affirmation Quantity. Ensure you’re getting into the proper quantity as a result of the system will use it to hyperlink your appointment to the correct DS-160 type. You probably 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 price, to be paid money upon supply.
4. On the PAYMENT web page, enter your RECEIPT NUMBER. In case your visa price cost is already within the system, it is 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 have to fill out the shape once more while you log in once more.
5. Choose the date lang that greatest works for you. You’ll be able to change or reschedule it later in the event 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 on the left sidebar and choose an earlier or later date. Sure, it’s attainable to likelihood upon an earlier schedule. That’s what occurred to me.
• GROUP APPOINTMENT choice is out there, however I haven’t tried it but, so I don’t know the way it works. However in the event you’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 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 price cost receipt quantity
5. Latest ID picture (2×2)

These are the essential necessities. In lots of instances, these three are all you want. BUT — and it’s a giant however — it’s greatest to have all the opposite attainable supporting paperwork listed on the embassy’s web site:

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

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

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 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.

However it doesn’t imply that you just’ll expertise the identical. A number of the candidates subsequent to me on the road had been requested to current a few of these supporting paperwork. It’s actually greatest to be ready.

By the best way, in the event 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: 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 USA 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.

Site visitors is horrible in Manila, so allot loads of lead time. In case you’re coming from distant — particularly in the event you’re flying in from the province — and also you’re on the lookout for a spot to remain, think about a lodge 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 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 might be refused entry and your account could also be locked for 30 days in the event you’re caught sneaking any of those in.
• No lockers or baggage counters within the neighborhood. The very 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, you might now go inside. You’ll have to fall in line each step of the best way. Listed below are the steps:

1. Current your printed appointment affirmation web page on the employees exterior. They’ll 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 to sneak in something prohibited.
3. Comply with the indicators and the employees to the following 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. Bear biometrics scan. They’ll 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 on your flip.
5. Interview correct. This normally simply takes round 5 minutes. It’s very fast as a result of most likely, purposes 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. Additionally it is a possibility 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 had 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 inform you 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 via 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 case you selected PICKUP while you booked an appointment, you might 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 might 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 title 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 had been getting. These embody:

• 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 already know and keep in mind the solutions you entered while you had been undertaking it on-line. They’re not asking as a result of they wish to know — they already know — however they in all probability are simply attempting for affirm 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 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 might have it. That’s your complete U.S. visa software 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 sleek course of and nice expertise. From the Filipino employees and the American interviewers, each one was pleasant, mild, 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

In case you’re coming from the province and also you wish to spend the evening at a lodge near the U.S. Embassy, listed below are some properties across the space.

Seek for extra Manila Resorts!