
Planning to journey to the USA for the primary time? You’ve come to the best place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Software Information for Filipino vacationers. On this article, we’ll stroll you thru your entire 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 among 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 plain. Many people dream of stepping foot in New York or Las Vegas or California. And lastly, additionally it is a robust visa to have. When you could 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 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 notably straightforward 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 I received 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 may 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 kin or mates
Attending social occasions (concert events, festivals, reveals)
Medical remedy
You can not use a B1/B2 visa to review, 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 kind of visa. If you happen to’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.
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 tackle 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 be capable of safe a slot till you’ve paid the visa price. For now, all that you must do is create an account.
Why? As a result of as quickly as you could have an account, you’ll be capable of see the EARLIEST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT DATE.
That is particularly necessary 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 obtainable date will help you gauge when you’ll be capable of get a visa in time to your journey and resolve appropriately.
The very last thing you need is to pay the hefty visa price solely to seek out that there aren’t any extra appointment slots earlier than your supposed journey date.
Notice: The earliest appointment date modifications every now and then, 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 little thing appears to be like good, then proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Accomplish the DS-160 Type.
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. If you happen to’re touring as a bunch, every one among you need to fill it out individually.
Observe these steps:
- 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.
- 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. If you happen to really feel such as you gained’t be capable of 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:
- PERSONAL DETAILS. Identify, beginning date, beginning place, and so on.
- 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. Underneath SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).
Underneath it, provide the small print of your journey. When you’ve got a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. If you happen to 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 small print you entered. The consul/visa officer can 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 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 report of it anyway.
- ADDRESS. Enter your present tackle.
- 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.
- U.S. CONTACT. If you already know somebody within the US, present their identify and your relationship with them. Ideally, this particular person ought to be capable of confirm your id if deemed mandatory.
- FAMILY. Enter the names and beginning dates in case your dad and mom. When you’ve got kin in the USA, you must also present their particulars right here.
If you happen to 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.
- 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 collection of questions concerning the international locations 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 under can information you:
After importing a photograph, overview all the knowledge you equipped. Be sure that each single factor is appropriate. If that’s the case, submit your software.
⚠️ IMPORTANT! The second you hit SUBMIT, you gained’t be capable of make any modifications to the shape, so guarantee each bit of data is appropriate. If there are nonetheless particulars that that you must double-check or verify, you’ll be able to simply save your software within the meantime and simply return to it when you have already got the right 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 might 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 price prices USD 185 (roughly PHP 10,800 on the time of this writing).
There a couple of methods to settle this price however I selected to pay through PesoNet.
- Go online to this USTravelDocs web page. As quickly because the web page masses, it would generate a reference quantity.
- Save the reference quantity. You possibly can take a screenshot of it or copy-paste it someplace. You’ll want this quantity when it’s time to ship the fee.
- 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 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 right 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 identical portal on Step 1.
On the left sidebar, it would 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 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 in a position to snag an appointment in October, which was only a month away.
Anyway, when you’re lastly able to ebook an appointment, simply observe 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. Be sure to’re coming into the right quantity as a result of the system will use it to hyperlink your appointment to the best 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.
- 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.
- On the PAYMENT web page, enter your RECEIPT NUMBER. In case your visa price fee is already within the system, it’s best to be capable of 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 must fill out the shape once more whenever you log in once more.
- Choose the date lang that finest works for you. You possibly can change or reschedule it later when you discover a higher date.
That’s it! You have already got an appointment.
USEFUL TIPS:
- You possibly can 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 choice is offered, however I haven’t tried it but, so I don’t know the way it works. However when you’re making use of with a bunch, 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 price fee receipt quantity
- Current ID photograph (2×2)
- All of your outdated passports
- Proof of revenue, property possession, ITR
- Letter out of your employer detailing your place, wage, and so on.
- Journey itinerary
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 potential supporting paperwork listed on the embassy’s web site:
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 cases, 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, apart 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 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, 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 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 at the least 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. If you happen to’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 a whole lot 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 on.).
- 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 when you’re caught sneaking any of those in.
- No lockers or baggage counters within the neighborhood. The most effective 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 must fall in line each step of the way in which. Listed here are the steps:
- 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.
- Enter the constructing for the safety examine. They’re very thorough, so don’t try and sneak in something prohibited.
- Observe the indicators and the employees to the following 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.
- 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 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 probably 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 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 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 software is accepted, they’ll take your passport so they may affix the visa sticker.
– In case your software is rejected or denied, they’ll 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 just some days after your interview.
In my case, I received mine by means 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.
If you happen to 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 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 could 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 received 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 accepted. 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 might 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 you already know 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 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 a whole lot 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 small print. So make a copy of your solutions on the DS-160 type.
There you could have it. That’s your entire 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 graceful course of and nice expertise. From the Filipino employees and the American interviewers, each one was pleasant, mild, and respectful. Even once they have been delivering rejections, they did it in a manner 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
If you happen to’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.
