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 among 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’s also a strong visa to have. When you have got a US visa, you might be allowed entry not simply to the US 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 a protracted queue on the US Embassy in Manila. However for many people, the US visa isn’t significantly straightforward to safe. That’s why we’re half-grateful and half-relieved after we lastly bought ours. Sure, we have 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 pals
  Attending social occasions (live shows, festivals, reveals)
  Medical remedy

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 received’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 sort of visa. If you happen to’re making use of for a piece visa, scholar 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?

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

Be aware that Steps 1 to three are literally interchangeable. However I consider that how I organized it under 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 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 guide an appointment, however you don’t want to do this this early. You received’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 have got an account, you’ll be capable of see the EARLIEST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT DATE.

That is particularly necessary in case your journey dates will not be versatile: say, you’re attending a marriage, a live performance, or a convention. Having visibility on the earliest accessible date will permit you to gauge in case you’ll be capable of get a visa in time to your journey and determine 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 meant journey date.

Be aware: The earliest appointment date modifications on occasion, 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 to be 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. If you happen to’re touring as a bunch, every one in every of it’s essential to 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 overlook 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 received’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:

1. PERSONAL DETAILS. Identify, beginning date, beginning 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 Momentary Enterprise Pleasure Customer. Beneath SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).

   Beneath it, provide the small print of your journey. You probably have a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. If you happen to 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 overlook the small print you entered. The consul/visa officer will probably be asking you about your journey particulars when it’s time for interview.



3. TRAVEL COMPANIONS. Declare the individuals with whom you’ll 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 in case 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 handle.
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 understand somebody within the US, present their identify and your relationship with them. Ideally, this individual ought to be capable of confirm your id if deemed vital.



8. FAMILY. Enter the names and beginning dates in case your mother and father. You probably have relations in the US, you must also present their particulars right here.

   If you happen to 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 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 must 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, evaluate all the knowledge you equipped. Ensure each single factor is appropriate. In that case, submit your utility.

⚠️ IMPORTANT! The second you hit SUBMIT, you received’t be capable of make any modifications to the shape, so guarantee each bit of knowledge is appropriate. If there are nonetheless particulars that that you must double-check or verify, you’ll be able to 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 have to 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 just a few methods to settle this price however I selected to pay through PesoNet.

1. Go online to this USTravelDocs web page. As quickly because the web page masses, it’s going to generate a reference quantity.
2. 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.
3. Comply with the step-by-step fee 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 would possibly change sooner or later. Simply comply with the steps on the web page to a tee, ensuring that you just’re coming into the proper reference quantity.

That’s it! It would take some time for the fee 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 may transfer on to the following step.

Step 4: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

Assuming your fee is already within the system, you might now guide 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’s going to 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, in case you’re lastly able to guide 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 along with your private particulars and 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 appropriate DS-160 type. You probably have dependents who will probably be with you on the interview, enter their particulars and their very own DS-160 affirmation numbers.
3. Select the way you need 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 fee is already within the system, it’s best to be capable of guide 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 received’t have to fill out the shape once more once you log in once more.
5. Choose the date lang that greatest works for you. You possibly can change or reschedule it later in case 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 probability 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 in case 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 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 price fee receipt quantity
5. Current ID picture (2×2)

These are the fundamental 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 potential supporting paperwork listed on the embassy’s web site:

6. All of your previous 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 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. In actual fact, I accomplished and introduced all of those however they didn’t test 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.

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

By the best way, in case 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 handle:

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

Arrive a minimum of 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 distant — particularly in case 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 lots of good selections within the surrounding space. SEARCH FOR MANILA HOTELS HERE! ✅

However keep in mind these:

• Devices or objects with batteries and ON-OFF swap 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. It’s possible you’ll be refused entry and your account could also be locked for 30 days in case 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 facet of the street. 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 here are the steps:

1. Current your printed appointment affirmation web page on the employees outdoors. 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 test. 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. 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 couple of×2 ID picture.
4. 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.
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 choice previous to your appointment and the interview is only for validation or to settle any doubts, if any. It is usually a possibility 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 accredited, they’ll take your passport so they may affix the visa sticker.
   – In case your utility 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!

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

In my case, I bought mine by means of 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.

If you happen to selected PICKUP once 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 have got 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 stated, “OK, your visa is accredited. 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 type, so it’s essential that you understand and keep in mind the solutions you entered once you have been undertaking it on-line. They’re not asking as a result of they need to know — they already know — however they in all probability are simply making an attempt for verify or take a look at in case your solutions are constant.

The issue is, when lots of time has handed between the day you achieved the DS-160 type and the day of your interview, it’s straightforward to overlook the small print. So make a copy of your solutions on the DS-160 type.

There you have got it. That’s all the U.S. visa utility 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 sleek 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 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

If you happen to’re coming from the province and also you need to spend the night time at a lodge near the U.S. Embassy, listed here are some properties across the space.

Seek for extra Manila Inns!