U.S. VISA APPLICATION GUIDE & Necessities for Filipinos + Interview Questions

Planning to journey to america 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 the complete software course of from reserving an appointment to nailing the interview on the US Embassy.

For Filipino nationals, any plan to journey to america 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 simple. 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 might have a US visa, you’re allowed entry not simply to america but in addition 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 all the time 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 once we lastly received ours. Sure, we have been simply granted a US B1/B2 visa. Right here’s how I received 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 america 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 associates
  Attending social occasions (live shows, festivals, exhibits)
  Medical therapy

You can not use a B1/B2 visa to review, work, or keep for good in america.

A B1/B2 visa is normally:

• multiple-entry
• legitimate for 10 years

Sure, the 10-year validity is the very best half. When you’re granted a visa, you received’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. In the event you’re making use of for a piece visa, pupil 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 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 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 electronic mail deal with and full title on the subsequent 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 received’t be capable of safe a slot till you’ve paid the visa payment. For now, all you want to do is create an account.

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

That is particularly essential in case your journey dates aren’t versatile: say, you’re attending a marriage, a live performance, or a convention. Having visibility on the earliest accessible date will help you gauge when you’ll be capable of get a visa in time on your journey and determine appropriately.

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

Notice: The earliest appointment date modifications occasionally, 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 received’t be sooner or later.

If every thing appears 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. In the event you’re touring as a bunch, every one in all you could fill it out individually.

Observe these steps:

1. Underneath LOCATION WHERE YOU’LL BE APPLYING, select PHILIPPINES, MANILA. Enter the CAPTCHA code under it. Then click on on the pink START AN APPLICATION button.
2. On the subsequent 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. In the event you 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 main points you want to put together:

1. PERSONAL DETAILS. Identify, start date, start place, and so forth.
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 Short-term Enterprise Pleasure Customer. Underneath SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).

   Underneath it, provide the main points of your journey. When you have a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. In the event you 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 received’t overlook the main points 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 may be touring to america.



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 in truth as a result of they’ve a file of it anyway.
5. ADDRESS. Enter your present deal with.
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 realize somebody within the US, present their title and your relationship with them. Ideally, this particular person ought to be capable of confirm your identification if deemed essential.



8. FAMILY. Enter the names and start dates in case your dad and mom. When you have kin in america, you must also present their particulars right here.

   In the event you don’t know anybody within the US, simply enter the title and deal with 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. 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 in regards to the nations you visited, organizations you’re 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 inside the previous six (6) months. No eyeglasses, hats, or head cowl (aside from faith or medical causes). The hyperlinks under can information you:

After importing a photograph, overview all the knowledge you equipped. Make certain each single factor is right. In that case, submit your software.

⚠️ 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 right. If there are nonetheless particulars that you want to double-check or verify, you possibly can simply save your software within the meantime and simply return to it when you have already got the proper information.

After submitting the shape, the subsequent web page will show your DS-160 CONFIRMATION PAGE, which accommodates your affirmation quantity and barcode. You’ve gotten the choice to print it out or electronic mail to your self. (I selected to electronic 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 on your interview.

Step 3: PAY THE VISA FEE.

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

There a couple of methods to settle this payment however I selected to pay by way of 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. Observe 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 replicate within the system. In accordance with the web site, it ought to register on the subsequent 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 subsequent step.

Step 4: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

Assuming your cost 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 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 subsequent 12 months. However don’t lose hope. Every so often, 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 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 observe these steps:

1. Click on on NEW APPLICATION/SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT on the left sidebar. On the subsequent web page, choose NONIMMIGRANT VISA after which choose BUSINESS/TOURISM.
2. Fill out the subsequent 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 best DS-160 type. When 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 wish to obtain your passport again: FREE PICK UP or DELIVERY. The latter entails a separate payment, to be paid money upon supply.
4. On the PAYMENT web page, enter your RECEIPT NUMBER. In case your visa payment cost 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 information you entered so that you received’t must fill out the shape once more if 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 when 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 probability upon an earlier schedule. That’s what occurred to me.
• GROUP APPOINTMENT possibility 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 bunch, strive 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 payment cost 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 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 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 function 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 actual fact, 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.

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 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 deal with:

Embassy of america 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 the event you’re coming from distant — particularly when you’re flying in from the province — and also you’re in search of a spot to remain, contemplate a lodge that’s near the U.S. Embassy. There are numerous 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 forth.).
• 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 perfect 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 street. Simply agree to fulfill 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 here are the steps:

1. Current your printed appointment affirmation web page on the employees outdoors. They may 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. Observe the indicators and the employees to the subsequent 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 couple of×2 ID photograph.
4. Bear biometrics scan. They may 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 likely, purposes have been evaluated even earlier than the interview. It’s very probably 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 under.
   – In case your software is accepted, they’ll take your passport so they might 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 only a few days after your interview.

In my case, I received mine by way 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.

In the event you selected PICKUP if 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 through 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 youngsters?
• With whom are you touring?
• What do you do for a residing?
• How lengthy have I been doing this job?
• What’s the title 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 style.

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 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 realize and bear in mind the solutions you entered if 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 in all probability are simply attempting 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 straightforward to overlook the main points. So make a copy of your solutions on the DS-160 type.

There you might have it. That’s the complete 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, light, and respectful. Even once they have been delivering rejections, they did it in a means 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 the event 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 Lodges!