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 fitting place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Software Information for Filipino vacationers. On this article, we’ll stroll you thru the whole 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 without doubt one of the most extremely coveted for a lot of causes. First, the US has a large 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 robust visa to have. When you’ve gotten a US visa, you might be allowed entry not simply to the USA but in addition 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 a protracted 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 family members or pals
  Attending social occasions (live shows, festivals, exhibits)
  Medical remedy

You can’t use a B1/B2 visa to check, 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 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. When 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 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 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 deal with 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 price. For now, all it is advisable to do is create an account.

Why? As a result of as quickly as you’ve gotten an account, you’ll be capable to see the EARLIEST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT DATE.

That is particularly vital 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 out there date will can help you gauge for those who’ll be capable to 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 search out that there aren’t any extra appointment slots earlier than your meant journey date.

Notice: The earliest appointment date adjustments sometimes, 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 all the things seems to be 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. When you’re touring as a bunch, every considered one of you could fill it out individually.

Observe these steps:

1. Underneath 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 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. When you 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 small print it is advisable to put together:

1. PERSONAL DETAILS. Title, start date, start 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 Non permanent Enterprise Pleasure Customer. Underneath SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).

   Underneath it, provide the small print of your journey. In case you have a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. When you 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 gained’t overlook the small print you entered. The consul/visa officer shall 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 USA.



4. PREVIOUS US TRAVELS. If it’s your first time touring to the US, simply reply NO. You’ll even be requested for those who’ve been denied a US visa earlier than or denied entry into the nation. Reply in truth as a result of they’ve a document of it anyway.
5. ADDRESS. Enter your present deal with.
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 understand somebody within the US, present their identify and your relationship with them. Ideally, this individual ought to be capable to confirm your identification if deemed needed.



8. FAMILY. Enter the names and start dates in case your mother and father. In case you have family members in the USA, you must also present their particulars right here.

   When you don’t know anybody within the US, simply enter the identify and deal with 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. Record 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 nations 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 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 beneath can information you:

After importing a photograph, evaluation all the knowledge you equipped. Make 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 to make any adjustments to the shape, so guarantee each bit of knowledge is appropriate. If there are nonetheless particulars that it is advisable to 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 incorporates your affirmation quantity and barcode. You have got 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 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.

1. Go surfing to this USTravelDocs web page. As quickly because the web page hundreds, 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. 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 getting into the right reference quantity.

That’s it! It’d 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 may transfer on to the following step.

Step 4: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

Assuming your fee is already within the system, it’s possible you’ll now ebook 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’s going to 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 12 months. However don’t lose hope. From time to time, some candidates cancel their appointments and new slots open up. We discovered that this normally 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, for those who’re lastly able to ebook 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 right quantity as a result of the system will use it to hyperlink your appointment to the fitting DS-160 type. In case you have dependents who shall 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 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 data 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 possibly can change or reschedule it later for those who 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 doable to probability 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 for those who’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.

1. Legitimate passport
2. Appointment affirmation web page
3. DS-160 affirmation quantity
4. your MRV price fee receipt quantity
5. Current ID photograph (2×2)

These are the essential 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 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 objective of journey. See screenshot of the official web site beneath:

I indicated “doable” supporting paperwork as a result of in some situations, they don’t ask to see these docs. Actually, 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 photograph.

But it surely doesn’t imply that you simply’ll expertise the identical. Among 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, for those who 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 deal with:

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. When you’re coming from far-off — particularly for those who’re flying in from the province — and also you’re on the lookout for a spot to remain, take into account a lodge that’s near the U.S. Embassy. There are quite a 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 cell phones, 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 for those who’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 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 highway. Simply agree to satisfy at a sure time, old-school-style.

When you’re gadget-free, it’s possible 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 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 verify. They’re very thorough, so don’t try and sneak in something prohibited.
3. Observe 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 photograph.
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 normally simply takes round 5 minutes. It’s very fast as a result of likely, functions 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 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 beneath.
   – In case your software is authorized, they are going to take your passport so they might affix the visa sticker.
   – In case your software is rejected or denied, they are going to 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 must obtain your passport with a visa just some days after your interview.

In my case, I acquired mine by means of 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.

When you selected PICKUP whenever you booked an appointment, it’s possible 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’ve gotten youngsters?
• 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 trend.

After the final query, the officer typed one thing on the pc, confronted me once more, and mentioned, “OK, your visa is authorized. 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 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 understand 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 need 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 quite a lot of time has handed between the day you achieved the DS-160 type and the day of your interview, it’s simple to overlook the small print. So make a copy of your solutions on the DS-160 type.

There you’ve gotten it. That’s the whole 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 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 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

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

Seek for extra Manila Lodges!