2024 U.S. VISA APPLICATION Necessities & Interview Questions within the Philippines

Planning to journey to the US for the primary time? You’ve come to the suitable place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Software Information for Filipino vacationers. On this article, we’ll stroll you thru your complete 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 likely 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, additionally it is a robust visa to have. When you have got a US visa, you might be allowed entry not simply to the US but additionally 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 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 obtained ours. Sure, we had been simply granted a US B1/B2 visa. Right here’s how I obtained 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 kinfolk or pals
  Attending social occasions (concert events, festivals, exhibits)
  Medical remedy

You can’t 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 the very best 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. In case 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?

UPDATE! Beginning September 28, 2024, US visa candidates within the Philippines must schedule TWO appointments:

APPOINTMENT 1: BIOMETRICS ENROLLMENT

First, an applicant should safe an appointment for the biometrics assortment on the Visa Software Heart (VAC). The what? You learn it proper: Visa Software Heart or VAC. That is the place you’ll have your photograph taken and your fingerprints scanned BEFORE your interview on the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard.

APPOINTMENT 2: CONSULAR/VISA INTERVIEW

The applicant will then be directed to the web page to set the appointment for the visa interview on the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard.

For extra particulars, see STEPS 7 & 8.

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

Word that Steps 1 to three are literally interchangeable. However I consider that how I organized it beneath 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.

Word: The brand new and redesigned on-line appointment system took impact on September 28, 2024. The above photograph is the previous model. Count on the login web page, profile, and appointment scheduling pages within the new system to have a special look.

All first-time candidates and customers within the new system should register first.

1. Faucet the “Visa Login” button on the prime proper of the Nonimmigrant Visa utility web page.
2. Click on the “Join now” hyperlink on the backside of the login web page.
3. Enter your electronic mail handle and full title on the subsequent web page.
4. Set a password.
5. 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 do this this early. You gained’t be capable of safe a slot till you’ve paid the visa charge. 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 should not versatile: say, you’re attending a marriage, a live performance, or a convention. Having visibility on the earliest obtainable date will assist you to gauge in case you’ll be capable of get a visa in time on your journey and resolve appropriately.

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

Word: The earliest appointment date adjustments on occasion, when candidates e book, transfer or cancel their reserved slots. So simply because there are not any slots in your goal month doesn’t imply there gained’t be sooner or later.

HEADS UP! You’re additionally required to register within the new on-line appointment system (that means, it’s best to click on the “Join now” hyperlink) if you’re an applicant who:

• Has a sound visa charge receipt related in your profile from the previous system.
• Is holding a sound future appointment.
• Already paid your visa charge earlier than September 28, 2024 within the previous system however haven’t linked your fee receipt to your profile. You will get your receipt after logging into the brand new system. Simply enter the fee receipt quantity and fee date.

Word: It’s a must to use the identical electronic mail handle you registered within the earlier system to retrieve your current consumer profile, which incorporates fee receipts and appointment info.

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 utility 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 gaggle, every one in all you have to 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 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 case you 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 main points 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. 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 case 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 gained’t overlook the main points you entered. The consul/visa officer might 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 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 document of it anyway.
5. ADDRESS. Enter your present handle.
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 realize somebody within the US, present their title and your relationship with them. Ideally, this individual ought to be capable of confirm your id if deemed needed.



8. FAMILY. Enter the names and beginning dates in case your mother and father. When you have kinfolk in the US, you also needs to present their particulars right here.

   In case you don’t know anybody within the US, simply enter the title and handle 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. Listing 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 collection of questions in regards to the international locations 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 coloration and brought throughout the previous six (6) months. No eyeglasses, hats, or head cowl (aside from faith or medical causes). The hyperlinks beneath can information you:

After importing a photograph, evaluation all the data you provided. Make certain each single factor is right. If that’s the case, submit your utility.

⚠️ IMPORTANT! The second you hit SUBMIT, you gained’t be capable of make any adjustments to the shape, so guarantee each bit of data is right. 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 subsequent web page will show your DS-160 CONFIRMATION PAGE, which accommodates your affirmation quantity and barcode. You may have 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 charge.

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

There a couple of methods to settle this charge however I selected to pay through PesoNet.

1. Go online to this USTravelDocs web page. As quickly because the web page hundreds, it would generate a reference quantity.
2. Save the reference quantity. You may 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 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 simply’re coming into the proper reference quantity.

That’s it! It’d take some time for the fee to replicate within the system. In line 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: Schedule your Biometrics Enrollment Appointment.

Assuming your fee is already within the system, you could now e book your biometrics enrollment appointment. Log into your USTravelDocs.com account on this web page. This is identical portal on Step 1.

Within the earlier visa utility system, all you wanted to do was to schedule your interview appointment as a result of assortment of your biometrics — taking your photograph and scanning your fingerprints — would even be performed on the day of the interview.

However with the brand new visa utility system taking impact on the twenty eighth of September 2024, you might be required to schedule a separate appointment to the newly launched Visa Software Heart (VAC) on your biometrics enrollment.

Step 5: Schedule your Interview Appointment.

If you end up performed setting your appointment for the biometrics assortment, the brand new system will then direct you to the web page the place you may make your second appointment — visa interview on the U.S. Embassy.

It is going to 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 subsequent 12 months. However don’t lose hope. Now and again, 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 had been capable of snag an appointment in October, which was only a month away.

Anyway, in case you’re lastly able to e book an appointment, simply observe these steps:

Word: The brand new and redesigned on-line appointment system took impact on September 28, 2024. The photograph above is from the previous system. Count on the login web page, profile, and appointment scheduling pages within the new system to have a special look.

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. Ensure you’re coming into the proper quantity as a result of the system will use it to hyperlink your appointment to the suitable DS-160 type. When you have dependents who might 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 charge, to be paid money upon supply.
4. On the PAYMENT web page, enter your RECEIPT NUMBER. In case your visa charge fee is already within the system, it’s best to be capable of 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 data you entered so that you gained’t must fill out the shape once more while you log in once more.
5. Simply choose the date that finest works for you. You may change or reschedule it later in case you discover a higher date.

That’s it! You have already got an appointment.

USEFUL TIPS:

• You may reschedule your appointment. Simply click on on the RESCHEDULE APPOINTMENT button and choose an earlier or later date. Sure, it’s doable to probability upon an earlier schedule. That’s what occurred to me.
• Beginning September 28, 2024, visa candidates who want to change their appointment dates within the new system might be required to reschedule BOTH biometrics assortment and interview appointments.
• GROUP APPOINTMENT possibility is out there, however I haven’t tried it but, so I do not know the way it works. However in case you’re making use of with a gaggle, strive clicking the GROUP SCHEDULING REQUEST button on the left sidebar.

Step 6: Collect the U.S. Visa Necessities.

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 charge fee receipt quantity
5. Latest ID photograph (2×2)

These are the fundamental necessities. In lots of circumstances, these are all you want. BUT — and it’s a giant however — it’s finest to have all the opposite doable 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 goal of journey. See screenshot of the official web site beneath:

I indicated “doable” supporting paperwork as a result of in some cases, they don’t ask to see these docs. The truth is, I accomplished and introduced all of those however they didn’t examine 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.

Nevertheless it doesn’t imply that you simply’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 finest to be ready.

By the way in which, 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 checklist, so don’t hassle. It’s not wanted in any respect.

Step 7: Go to VAC for Biometrics Enrollment.

On the day of your appointment, head to the Visa Software Heart (VAC).

Deal with: Visa Software Heart (VAC), Parqal, Constructing 8, Stage 3, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Tambo, Parañaque, Metro Manila. The title of the constructing is Cogon Constructing. It sits subsequent to The Market.

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday, 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

You could carry the next:

• Appointment Affirmation Letter
• DS-160 Affirmation Web page
• Legitimate Passport
• Visa Charge Receipt

This comes first earlier than your visa interview. Right here’s a walkthrough:

1. While you arrive on the VAC, you may be greeted by a employees on the constructing’s entrance and might be given a ticket quantity or queue quantity.
2. Enter the constructing and take the elevator to Stage 3.
3. Coming from the elevator, flip proper. Then, a VAC employees will examine your paperwork and appointment affirmation letter.
4. After that, you may be directed to the safety examine and ready space.
5. Then, the VAC employees will examine your paperwork once more and they’re going to affix a sticker with a QR code on the again cowl of your passport.
6. Wait on your flip to have your photograph taken and your fingerprints scanned.
7. And that’s it! On to the subsequent step: Interview!

Notes:

• Please arrive at the least quarter-hour earlier than your appointed time.
• The VAC can be an possibility for passport assortment/pick-up. That’s, in case you selected to choose up your passport as a substitute of have it delivered to you. No appointment wanted for this.
• Apart from biometrics assortment, the VAC additionally accepts interview waiver and/or 221g doc submission. You don’t must set an appointment for this , too.

Step 8: Go to the U.S. Embassy for the 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 Boulevard, 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. In case you’re coming from distant — particularly in case you’re flying in from the province — and also you’re in search of a spot to remain, think about a resort 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. 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 could 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’ll affix a sticker with a QR code on the again cowl of your passport.
2. Enter the constructing for the safety examine. They’re very thorough, so don’t try to sneak in something prohibited.
3. Observe the indicators and the employees to the subsequent 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 photograph.
4. You’ll be assigned a counter for the interview correct. Queue up at that counter and wait on 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 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’s also a possibility to examine supporting paperwork ought to they really feel the necessity to. In my case, they didn’t examine 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 beneath.

   – In case your utility is authorised, they are going to take your passport so they might affix the visa sticker.

   – In case your utility 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 9: Wait on your visa!

It is best to obtain your passport with a visa just some days after your interview.

In my case, I obtained mine by means of LBC Padala simply 2 days later. If I used to be interviewed on Monday, I obtained the visa on Wednesday morning. I paid PHP 440 upon supply.

In case you selected PICKUP while you booked an appointment, you could declare your passport/visa at LBC Mall of Asia.

UPDATE! Beginning September 28, 2024, expenses for premium doc supply and premium doc submission might be revised to Php430 per utility, no matter whether or not you chose the premium service earlier than the mentioned date.

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 youngsters?
• With whom are you touring?
• What do you do for a dwelling?
• How lengthy have you ever been doing this job?
• What’s the title of your employer?

That was it. Eight questions. Or 9. Vins obtained 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 mentioned, “OK, your visa is authorised. 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 truly 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 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 realize and bear in mind the solutions you entered while you had been engaging in 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 attempting for verify or take a look at 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 have got it. That’s your complete U.S. visa utility 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 graceful course of and nice expertise. From the Filipino employees and the American interviewers, each one was pleasant, mild, and respectful. Even once 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 recent 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 need to spend the night time at a resort near the U.S. Embassy, listed below are some properties across the space.

Seek for extra Manila Lodges!

Updates Log

2024 9 30 – Up to date to replicate adjustments in visa utility course of that took impact on September 28, 2024
2024 8 4 – First up