How To Apply For A US Visa

When somebody says USA, what usually comes to mind? Perhaps New York City and Central Park, the famous New York bagels, the Broadway shows you're dreaming of going to. Los Angeles has Hollywood, Beverly Hills and so much more. There's also the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Not to mention Universal Studios and Disney theme parks. All these famous destinations that we often see in movies make us dream of going there one day.

The US is a very vast country that most of us can only dream of going to. But if you think the visa application is hard, not really.

I have been to the US several times, and my very first application was denied only because I had no idea how to do it. Having gone to the US several times already, the process has gotten familiar, and the last time I applied, I was given a 10-year multiple entry visa without being asked for a single supporting document! Of course I had them with me should they ask for it, mind you.

Please bear in mind that there are a lot of factors why an application is denied or approved. It's gonna depend on how you prepare your supporting documents if you have any, or how well you do at the interview. If your application is denied, they tell you right away, give you a reason why it is denied, and give you back your passport immediately. If it is going to be approved, they will tell you it is approved, and let you know that your passport will be delivered to your mailing address in a few days.

So here's a guide to the visa application process, and like I said, there's no guarantee that it will be approved. Good luck!

Note: This guide is focused on how to get a U.S. visa as a tourist. The process is different for work, immigrant, and any other type of visa.

1.) Register at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs

Here, you can fill out your information as an individual or as a family/group, check the available interview date, and verify your payment.

a.) Click New Application/Schedule Appointment and answer the visa type, post, category, and visa class

For the visa type, choose Nonimmigrant visa >> Manila >> Business/Tourism >> B1/B2.

b.) Fill out your personal data

For the DS-160 confirmation number, refer to the latter part of this post.

c.) You can also add your family members if you’re applying together

d.) Finally, choose how you would like to receive your passport.

In this page, you can now see the earliest appointment date. However, you can’t book that unless you’re already paid and you’ve already completed the DS-160 form.

It is important that you fill up the form honestly, as they have a way of verifying information provided.

2.) Complete the DS-160 application form

Click this link for the DS-160 form.

a.) Start a new application and take note of your application ID. Be sure to also have a soft copy of your 2x2 photo as you need to have it uploaded here. If the system does not accept your photo by any chance, you will be given the option to not upload a photo so that you can continue filling up the form.

Copy this one and paste it on your Consular Affairs form stated above.

b.) Answer the form

The form consists of your personal details, address and phone, passport travel, travel companions, previous US travel, US contact, family, work / education / training, and security and background. It’s super lengthy but answer it as completely as you can. This is where they base their questions on, so please answer all the questions truthfully.

If you can’t answer it in one go, save it and retrieve it once you’re available. Be sure to read your answers more than once before confirming it as once you’ve hit the submit button, you can no longer edit it.

c.) Print the application confirmation

After submitting, you will be directed to this. Print this is at is one of the requirements.

3.) Pay the non-refundable U.S. visa application fee ($160)

One of the things that set people off in applying for a US visa is the fee. This $160 or P7,840 (conversion at the time of writing) is non-refundable whether you get approved or denied. It was P7,680 when I applied months ago. Payment depends on the conversion so always check the link provided below for accurate payment.

It’s a risk to take but it will be worth it if you get a 10-year multiple entry visa!

To pay, check first if you are fine with the earliest appointment date. Please take note that the earliest appointment date doesn’t mean that it’s the only option for your interview. You can choose a date different from the one in the sidebar and can only be visible after you have paid the fee.

You can pay in cash at a bank counter or do online transaction.

a) Over-the-counter transaction

Go to this link and print the page. Present this to a BPI bank teller and keep your copy. Make sure that it’s in a safe place because it is one of the requirements for the interview.

b.) Online transaction

I paid the fee online as this was easier. You can do this through BPI or Bancnet online payment.

Take note of your reference number that you can find here if you choose to pay via BPI or here for Bancnet customers.

After that, all you need to do is to enroll the U.S. visa for your online bill payment.

You will receive an email confirmation once this has been completed. Print this as this will act as your receipt to be presented at the U.S. Embassy.

4.) Confirm your payment

a.) Go to this link and enter your receipt number as soon as you paid.

b) After confirming your payment, you will need to wait a minimum of 4 hours depending on your payment process to book an interview date. Here’s a table on how soon you can book the date:

5.) Choose your appointment date

a.) Go to the bottom of this link to schedule your appointment. You will see a calendar when you book your appointment. Choose a time and date that you prefer.

b.) You will receive a confirmation of your appointment on your email. Print this as it is also one of the requirements on your interview.

6.) Prepare your documents

Here are the requirements to bring on your visa interview.

• Passport valid for another 6 months
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Visa fee payment receipt
• Appointment confirmation
• 2x2 photo

You can bring additional documents that you think could help. Some bring land titles, proof of business, bank statement, and other documents that could prove their tie in this country.

They rarely look at these documents but if you like it could help, then do it. I only brought the requirements along with my Certificate of Employment and Income Tax Return. They didn’t ask for it.

7.) Show up to your interview 15 minutes before your scheduled time

Note: Phones, tablets, MP3 players, USB, and other electronic devices are prohibited inside the Embassy. In case you bring yours, there are people outside the Embassy who will charge you a certain amount of money to keep your gadget for you while you go inside the Embassy. They will give you a claim stub, like they do in groceries.

On your interview date, will have to line up outside the Embassy and there’s no shed or chairs for you to wait so make sure not to arrive too early. There are coffee shops near the place for you to kill time if you prefer. The additional 15 minutes is used for security checks so be on time. Outside the embassy, you will see signage of different interview schedule. Fall in line on the signage that indicates your time.

After that, here are the next steps:

a.) A staff member will ask for your passport and DS-160 form

b.) You will be instructed to go to another staffer where you will present your appointment form, passport, and 2×2 picture. They will also attach a sticker on your passport for tracking purposes.

c.) You will then be asked to put your belongings in a conveyor belt

d.) Get your bags checked manually by the security inside the Embassy

e.) Fall in line for pre-screening. You will just be asked here about your visa type, name, birthday, and marital status.

f.) Finger scanning

g.) INTERVIEW

This is the most important part of the application process. The interviewer will base his/her decision on the answers on your DS-160 form and your answer in the interview. While I was waiting for my turn to be interviewed, the person who was in front of me got her application denied. So when my turn came, I was a bit nervous. But as the Immigration officer asked me what the purpose of my trip was, if I was issued a US visa before, how long I've been working for my company and how much was my salary, he then said that my application was approved and that my passport will be sent by courier in a week. Whew! That was fast! I even asked if he'd like to see some supporting documents but he said there was no need.

So, basically, the US Embassy just determines your 'economic ties' to your country. They want to make sure that you will be returning to the Philippines, and not stay there as TNT(tago ng tago) when you land and take away jobs from the locals. So if they determine that you can support the trip, you will not stay there illegally, then fear not, go and have yours approved too!

THE US EMBASSY MANILA

1201 Roxas Blvd, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila

Visa Information and Appointment Service hotlines are (+632) 976 8500 – 02 or (+632) 981 8300. 

For travel related articles, you can read here.