2025 Up to date! U.S. VISA APPLICATION Necessities & Interview Questions Philippines

Planning to journey to america for the primary time? You’ve come to the proper place! Welcome to our step-by-step US Visa Software Information for Filipino vacationers. On this article, we’ll stroll you thru the complete utility 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 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, additionally it is a robust visa to have. When you might have a US visa, you might be allowed entry not simply to america 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 significantly simple to safe. That’s why we’re half-grateful and half-relieved once we lastly obtained ours. Sure, we have been simply granted a US B1/B2 visa. Right here’s how we obtained ours.

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 america for enterprise (B1), for tourism (B2) or BOTH.

You need to use 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 pals
  Attending social occasions (live shows, festivals, exhibits)
  Medical therapy

You can’t use a B1/B2 visa to check, work, or keep for good in america.

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, pupil visa or inexperienced card, we received’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 have to 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 should have your picture 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 and a couple of 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 join an account, go to this web page.

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

1. Faucet the “Visa Login” button on the high proper of the Nonimmigrant Visa utility web page.

   

2. Click on the “Join now” hyperlink on the backside of the login web page.

   

3. Set your username and password. Then, enter all of the requested particulars: e mail deal with, full identify, and so forth.

   

4. Learn the Privateness Coverage web page, then press “Proceed”. That’s it!

   

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. Nevertheless, you received’t be capable to safe a slot till you’ve paid the visa price. For now, all you might want to do is create an account.

⚠️ IMPORTANT! It’s finest to begin your utility a minimum of three months earlier than your meant date of departure to the US. The brand new appointment course of now not announce the earliest out there appointment date, so be sure to allot sufficient time in your utility.

Whereas Vins and I utilized for our visa utilizing the previous system, our teammate Asta skilled making use of for hers through the brand new utility system. She created her USTravelDocs account, completed her D-160 kind, and scheduled her appointments round final week of November. For biometric assortment on the Visa Software Heart (VAC) at Parqal, the earliest out there date was December 3. In the meantime, for her consul interview on the US Embassy, the earliest out there schedule was January 7. Extra particulars on this later.

That is particularly necessary in case your journey dates usually are not versatile: say, you’re attending a marriage, a live performance, or a convention. Allotting ample additional time will mean you can gauge in case you’ll be capable to get a visa in time in your journey and determine 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.

NOTE: The earliest appointment date adjustments infrequently, 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 part seems to be good, then proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Accomplish the DS-160 Type.

The DS-160 kind serves as your utility kind. To fill it out, go to this web page.

Each visa applicant should full a DS-160 kind. If you happen to’re touring as a bunch, every certainly one of it’s essential to fill it out individually.

Observe these steps:

1. Below 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 kind. It’s a really prolonged kind — with 10 pages — so allot loads of time. If you happen to really feel such as you received’t be capable to end, simply save your progress. Don’t rush it. And ensure each reply is correct. These are the main points you might want to put together:

1. PERSONAL DETAILS. Title, 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 Non permanent Enterprise Pleasure Customer. Below SPECIFY, choose Enterprise & Tourism (Temperoary Customer).
    
   Below it, provide the main points of your journey. If in case you have a concrete journey plan, enter your journey dates. If you happen to haven’t finalized these but, simply choose 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 main points you entered. The consul/visa officer can 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 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 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 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 of your dad and mom. If in case you have kin in america, you also needs to present their particulars right here.
    
   If you happen to 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. Checklist 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 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 shade and brought inside 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. Ensure that each single factor is appropriate. If that’s the case, submit your utility.

⚠️ IMPORTANT! The second you hit SUBMIT, you received’t be capable to make any adjustments to the shape, so guarantee each bit of knowledge is appropriate. If there are nonetheless particulars that you might want to double-check or affirm, you’ll be able to simply save your utility within the meantime and simply return to it when you have already got the right information.

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 in your interview.

Step 3: Pay the visa price.

Go online to your USTravelDocs account. Then, observe these steps:

1. Click on START APPLICATION on the left sidebar. On the following web page, fill out the shape together with your private particulars, contact info, mailing deal with, and passport particulars.

   

2. On the Visa Choices web page, choose NONIMMIGRANT VISA after which choose BUSINESS/TOURISM. Typically, the B-1 and B-2 visas are issued as one — B-1/B-2.

   

3. Enter your DS-160 Affirmation Quantity. Ensure you’re coming into the right quantity as a result of the system will use it to hyperlink your appointment to the proper DS-160 kind.
4. Reply the interview waiver accordingly, then handle dependents, you probably have any. If in case you have dependents who can be with you on the interview, enter their particulars and their very own DS-160 affirmation numbers.

   

5. 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.
6. Lastly, proceed to the cost web page. Select your most well-liked mode of cost.

The U.S. Visa price prices USD 185. On the time of this writing, it’s roughly PHP 10,800. Within the case of our teammate Asta, it’s round PHP 11,500.

Within the previous appointment system, there are a couple of methods to settle this price, together with paying through on-line switch like PesoNet. However within the new appointment system, a minimum of what Asta skilled, solely two choices have been introduced: Money and Credit score/Debit Card.

Asta selected to pay along with her Credit score/Debit card. By the best way, if in case you’ll be able to’t pay instantly, you’ll be able to 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. Simply be aware of the pay slip’s expiration.

1. Go online to your USTravelDocs web page. On your own home web page, click on “Proceed Software”.

   

2. You’ll then be directed to the Cost Choices web page. Select the way you wish to settle your visa price. Asta selected to pay through credit score/debit card.

   

3. Test the cost particulars. That is the way it seems for card cost. We’re unsure of the method for money funds. If you happen to select card cost, you’ll additionally discover the cost slip’s expiration date right here. If you happen to’re carried out checking, proceed to cost.

   

4. Save the copy of your receipt. You may print it or take picture of it.

   

5. Verify your receipt. Merely, click on “Submit”. After this, you’ll be able to proceed to setting your schedules for biometric assortment and consul interview.

   

Nevertheless, the cost choices would possibly nonetheless change. In case the web switch choice turns into out there once more, right here’s what I did. I selected to pay through PesoNet.

1. Go online to this USTravelDocs web page. As quickly because the web page masses, 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 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 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’d take some time for the cost to replicate 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: Schedule your Biometrics Enrollment Appointment.

Assuming your cost is already within the system, it’s possible you’ll now ebook your biometrics enrollment appointment. Go online to your USTravelDocs.com account on this web page. This is similar 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 picture and scanning your fingerprints — would even be performed on the day of the interview.

However with the brand new visa utility system, you might be required to schedule a separate appointment to the newly launched Visa Software Heart (VAC) at Parqal in Parañaque in your biometrics enrollment.

NOTE: For the VAC Appointment, select MANILA OFC. Dates with out there slots are marked in inexperienced. You may nonetheless reschedule your appointment.

Step 5: Schedule your Interview Appointment.

If you find yourself carried out 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’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. 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 evening. True sufficient, after staying up at evening, we have been capable of snag an appointment in October, which was only a month away.

As for Asta, she utilized in November 2024 and the earliest out there schedule for the consul interview was on January 7, 2025. Once more, it’s essential to allot loads of lead time.

Anyway, 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 potential to likelihood upon an earlier schedule. That’s what occurred to me.
• GROUP APPOINTMENT choice is obtainable, 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 bunch, attempt clicking the CREATE GROUP REQUEST button on the left sidebar.

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

Whereas ready in 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 cost receipt quantity
5. Latest ID picture (2×2)

These are the essential necessities. In lots of instances, these 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:

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 beneath:

I indicated “potential” supporting paperwork as a result of in some cases, 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 picture.

However it 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 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 checklist, so don’t trouble. 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).

Handle: Visa Software Heart (VAC), Parqal, Constructing 8, Stage 3, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Tambo, Parañaque, Metro Manila. The identify 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 have to convey 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 workers on the constructing’s entrance and can 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 workers will verify your paperwork and appointment affirmation letter.
4. After that, you may be directed to the safety verify and ready space.
5. Then, the VAC workers will verify 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 in your flip to have your picture taken and your fingerprints scanned.
7. And that’s it! On to the following step: Interview!

Notes:

• Please arrive a minimum of quarter-hour earlier than your appointed time.
• The VAC can also be an choice for passport assortment/pick-up. That’s, in case you selected to choose up your passport as an alternative 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 have to 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 deal with:

Embassy of america of America
1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila

Arrive a minimum of quarter-hour earlier than your schedule. Truly, 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 in case you’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 lots of good decisions within the surrounding space. SEARCH FOR MANILA HOTELS HERE! ✅

However bear in mind these:

• Devices or gadgets with batteries and ON-OFF swap are NOT ALLOWED inside. Sure, that features cell phones, 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 in case you’re caught sneaking any of those in.
• No lockers or baggage counters within the neighborhood. The very best factor to do is to go together with a companion and ask them to attend for you someplace shut. You’ll discover Espresso Bean and Tea Leaf, Military Navy, 7/11, 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, it’s possible you’ll now go inside. You’ll have to fall in line each step of the best way. Listed below are the steps:

1. Hand your printed appointment affirmation web page and your passport to the workers exterior.
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 workers 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 couple of×2 ID picture.
4. Subsequent, you may be requested to get your fingers scanned for additional verification.
5. You’ll be assigned a counter for the interview correct. Queue up at that counter and wait in your flip.
6. Interview correct. This often simply takes round 5 (5) minutes. It’s very fast as a result of likely, functions have been evaluated even earlier than the interview. It’s very doubtless that they have already got a tentative determination 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 number 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 utility is authorized, they are going to take your passport so they may affix the visa sticker.

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

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

In my case, I obtained mine by 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.

If you happen to selected PICKUP once you booked an appointment, it’s possible you’ll declare your passport/visa at LBC Mall of Asia.

UPDATE! Beginning September 28, 2024, expenses for premium doc supply and premium doc submission can 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 might have children?
• With whom are you touring?
• What do you do for a dwelling?
• How lengthy have you ever been doing this job?
• What’s the identify 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 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 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 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 kind, so it’s essential that and bear in mind the solutions you entered once 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 affirm or check in case your solutions are constant.

The issue is, when lots of time has handed between the day you completed the DS-160 kind and the day of your interview, it’s simple to overlook the main points. So make a copy of your solutions on the DS-160 kind.

There you might have it. That’s the complete U.S. visa utility course of as I skilled it.

Earlier than I finish this text, I simply should commend the individuals working on the U.S. Embassy for the graceful course of and nice expertise. From the Filipino workers and the American interviewers, each one was pleasant, mild, and respectful. Even after 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 contemporary 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 evening at a lodge near the U.S. Embassy, listed here are some properties across the space.

Seek for extra Manila Resorts!

Updates Log

2025 1 10 – Up to date pictures, steps, and knowledge to replicate adjustments in visa utility and appointment system
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