As the United States remains the top destination of Filipinos abroad, it is not surprising that the US Embassy in Manila approves some 1,500 visa applications in the Philippines daily. The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) said 3,166,529 have been residing in the US as of 2010. GMA News Online compiled a list of tips on how to apply for a US visa based on the US Embassy website and Pinoy Abroad articles on this site. Things to remember before applying for a visa (1) All applicants, regardless of age, are required to appear at the US Embassy for an interview. (2) First timers and repeat applicants go through the same procedure. However, if you are a repeat applicant, you may be eligible for the Visa Reissuance Program. (3) Minors (unmarried, 17 years old and below) must be accompanied by at least one parent or a legal guardian during the interview. Steps in applying for a visa Step 1: Payment of Application Fee (1) Print the applicable US visa application payment slip. (2) Go to the bank and present your US visa application slip. (3) Pay the machine-readable visa (MRV) application fee. There are three ways to pay the MRV fee:
- Pay in cash (prevailing Philippine peso equivalent of the machine-readable visa fee) at any branch of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI);
- Pay through online bill payment option provided by BPI for their customers, and
- Online payment through Bancnet.
It will take four hours to activate your payment if you paid cash at BPI. However, if you paid online from another bank, it will take 24 hours to activate your payment. The fee is based on the purpose of the trip or visa category and ranges from $160 to $190 and $270 for treaty investor and trader type visas. The complete table of fees is listed
here.
Important reminders: Bank agents will NOT accept payments based on expired slips. Each slip has a unique receipt number. Applicants will not be able to schedule an appointment without the receipt number. The payment slip is good for one visa application only. If an applicant wishes to apply for multiple visas simultaneaously, corresponding payments per visa classifications should be made. NO exceptions: Visa application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Visa application payments are valid one year after date of actualy payment. The interview must fall within the one-year validity.
Step 2: Required Documents All basic documents should be ready before an appointment is made. There may be additional documents required depending on the visa category you are applying for. (1) DS-160 Online Non-Immigrant Visa Electronic Application. This can be accessed
here. (2) Passport
- Valid for at least six months from the date of intended departure from the United States, and
- In good condition (photo lamination is undamaged, and all passport pages are intact).
(3) Photo Photo specifications can be viewed
here. (4) Extenstion of Stay / Change of Status Please bring copies of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
approvals of extension of stay or change of status, if applicable. (5) Proof of Relationship (if applying with/for depedent/s)
- Original marriage certificate printed on Philippine National Statistics Office security paper, (if applying with a spouse and/or child), and
- Original birth certificate printed on Philippine National Statistics Office security paper (for dependent/s)
Important reminders: The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit does not accept documents BEFORE the interview except for Treaty Trader (E1) and Treaty Investor (E2) visa applications. Any documents received will not be returned and will be destroyed (except the passport). Applicants must also present all previously issued passports or notarized affidavits of loss, if applicable. Taiwanese passport holders who do not have Taiwan personal identification numbers listed above the date of birth on the biographic data page in their passports must present their original Philippine residency permit.
Step 3 : Schedule an Interview If you are calling from anywhere except the US, you may book an interview through these hotlines:
- (02) 982-5555
- (02) 902-8930
If calling from the US, please dial (214) 571-1600. You may call from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, Manila time. Hotlines are closed during U.S. and Philippine holidays. You may also book an appointment online through visiting http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph.
Important reminders: Applicants are only allowed to reschedule twice (not including the initial appointment) without penalty. If the second rescheduling attempt is cancelled, an applicant will only be allowed to reschedule a new date after a waiting period of 90 calendar days.
Step 4: Go to the US Embassy for an interview All applicants must appear at the Embassy for interview, except government officials traveling on official business and applying for A1, A2, G1, G2, or G4 visas.
Important reminders: Bring all the basic application requirements. American citizens and US Legal Permanent Residents are not allowed to accompany non-immigrant visa applicants to the interviewing area.
Step 5: If issued a visa The applicant will be informed whether he/she qualifies for a US visa after the interview. If the visa is approved, the applicant's passport with US visa will be delivered at the address provided by the applicant. If the applicant is not present during delivery, a representative may claim the package provided that the representative has an authorization letter from the applicant and a government-recognized photo for both the applicant and representative. Both applicant and representative must sign the authorization letter. For more information about visa processing, please visit the
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.
Tips from a US Embassy officer Dustin Bradshaw, a foreign service officer at the US Embassy in Manila, gave the following advice in a TV interview. (1) Be honest. (2) Have a good purpose for visiting the US. (3) Have a strong reason to return home to the Philippines. (4) Do not join visa seminars. (5) Visit the US Embassy's official website. (6) There is no need to bring in bank documents or land titles. However, you may bring these as supporting documents if you wish. (7) The embassy does not discriminate in choosing applicants in whatever way. (8) There is no quota per day for number of applicants to be given an interview. (9) It's easier to be approved for a US visa if you have already traveled to other countries. (10) There is no dress code but applicants should wear decent attire. (11) Be at the embassy 15 minutes before your scheduled interview.
- VVP, GMA News 
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