Nonimmigrant Visa Application Procedures

All applicants, regardless of age (excluding those applying for diplomatic visas), are
required to appear at the embassy for an interview. The application procedure for first
time nonimmigrant visa applicants and applicants who were previously issued a
nonimmigrant visa is the same.
Application Process
1. Payment of Application Fee
2. Required Documents
3. Schedule an interview
4. Go for the Interview
5. Post-interview

Step 1: Payment of Application Fee

Nonimmigrant visa applicants are required to present a U.S. visa application payment
slip to pay the machine-readable visa (MRV) application fee. Before going to the bank,
applicants must print the applicable U.S. visa application payment slip and take it to the
bank to pay the fee.1
Ways to pay the MRV fee:
1. Pay in cash (prevailing Philippine peso equivalent of the machine-readable visa fee) at any
branch of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
2. Pay through online bill payment option provided by BPI for their customers
3. Online payment through Bancnet

Step 2: Required Documents

All basic documentary requirements must be ready BEFORE an appointment can be
made.2

1 There is an expiration date on the payment slip. 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. If paying for more than one applicant, the payment slip
cannot be reproduced nor used for lump sum payment.
Nonimmigrant visa applicants must pay the machine-readable visa application fee shown on the
schedules below. The fee is based on the purpose of the trip or visa category.
A fee applies to only one visa classification/application. If an applicant wishes to apply for more than
one visa simultaneously, corresponding payment per visa class must be made. Visa application fees
are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions will be made to this rule. It is valid for one
year after the date of actual payment; the interview must fall within the one-year validity.

2 The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit does not accept documents BEFORE the interview except for Treaty
Trader (E1) and Treaty Investor (E2) visa applications.

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Basic Documentary Requirements:

1. DS-160 ONLINE NONIMMIGRANT VISA ELECTRONIC APPLICATION All
applicants must complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic
Application. Applicants can access the DS-160 from the Consular Electronic
Application Center website. It is important to take note of the CEAC Barcode
number of the DS-160 confirmation page. Applicants can track their case status
after the interview using their barcode number.
2. PASSPORT The passport must be in good condition, i.e., photo lamination is
undamaged, and all passport pages are intact. Applicants must also present all
previously issued passports or notarized affidavits of loss, if applicable.
3. PHOTO One 2" x 2" standard photo. The photo must be: (a) In color; (b) 2" x
2" in size; (c) Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance;
(d) The ears should be exposed, if local or religious custom does not prohibit.; (e)
Taken in front of a plain white background; (f) Taken in full-face view directly
facing the camera; and (g) With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
In addition to the basic documentary requirements above, the interviewing officer
may request the following documentation for B-1/B-2 visas:3
Any documents received will not be returned and will be destroyed (except the passport). All documents
must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted, unless specified. The applicant must submit these
documents to the interviewing consular officer during the interview. Please note, however, that
presentation of the documents will not guarantee visa issuance. Applicants must still qualify under INA
Section 214(b).

3 The vast majority of nonimmigrant visa applications received at the U.S. Embassy in Manila are
for tourism or business travel.
B-1 visas are for business, including such things as a need to consult with business associates,
negotiate a contract, buy goods or materials, settle an estate, appear in a court trial, and participate in
business or professional conventions or conferences; or, where an applicant will be traveling to the
United States on behalf of a foreign employer for training or meetings. The individual may not receive
payment (except for incidental expenses) from a United States source while on a B-1 visa.

B-2 visas are issued for general pleasure/tourist travel, such as touring, visits to friends and relatives,
visits for rest or medical treatment, social or fraternal conventions and conferences, and
amateur/unpaid participants in cultural or sports events.

In most instances, consuls will issue a combined B-1/B-2 visa, recognizing that most business travelers
may also wish to travel for tourist purposes.

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4. Evidence of ties4 and financial status of the applicant, or the applicants parents,
if minor, in the Philippines.
5. If the purpose of the travel is for:
a. Business a letter from the U.S. organization indicating the purpose of
the trip, the intended length of stay, and the firms intent to defray costs, if
applicable. Applicants traveling on business for a Philippine-based
employer should present a letter from the employer outlining the travel and
business plans, including dates of travel.
b. Pleasure documents concerning purpose and length of the trip and
ability to cover the costs of the trip.
6. Proof of travel medical insurance for applicants who might be at risk of requiring
medical care while in the United States
The following documents are NOT considered helpful:
In general, affidavits of financial support will be of little value to an applicant (exception: a student
visa application must have an affidavit of financial support). The affidavit of support is a
requirement only for immigrant visas. The interviewing officer is less concerned about how the
applicant will be supported during his/her stay in the United States than in whether s/he has
reasons to return home.
Letters of invitation (except for business travel).
Purchase of airline ticket. This should not be made until a visa has been issued and the applicant
is in receipt of the passport with the visa in it.

Step 3: Schedule an Interview

Book an appointment by calling (02) 976-8500 to 02 for calls within the Philippines and
other countries aside from mainland United States. The call center is open from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, Manila time, except on U.S. and Philippine
holidays.
Appointments
can
also
be
booked
online
through
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph.5

4 Ties are the aspects of ones life that bind him or her to his or her place of residence, including family
relationships, employment and possessions. In the case of younger applicants, who may not have had
an opportunity to establish such ties, interviewing officers may look at educational status, grades, the
situation of their parents, and the applicant's long-range plans and prospects in the Philippines. As each
person's situation is different, there is no set answer as to what constitutes adequate ties.
Essentially, the visa officer needs to see that the applicant has compelling reasons to return to the
Philippines. By law, the burden of proof is on the applicant to show that he or she qualifies for the visa.
This proof may come in many forms, but when considered together, it must be strong enough for the
interviewing officer to conclude that the applicants ties to the Philippines will compel him or her to
return at the end of a temporary stay in the United States.

5 The call center and the online appointment website can also provide general information about visa
application procedures and technical assistance related to scheduling an appointment.

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Applicants who will book an interview online will be asked to create a profile which will
be used to access their appointment record and edit applicant information before their
interview date.6
Please plan your visa application accordingly to avoid problems securing an interview
appointment. Even though nonimmigrant visa fees are valid for one calendar year,
options to schedule an appointment are limited. Applicants are only allowed to
reschedule twice (not including the initial appointment) without penalty. If the second
rescheduling attempt is canceled, an applicant will only be allowed to reschedule a new
date after a waiting period of 90 calendar days.
Step 4: Go for the 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.
Applicants are requested to arrive at the Embassy gate 15 minutes before the time
listed on the appointment letter. All kinds of electronic devices are not allowed inside the
US Embassy premises.
Please ensure that the biographic details on your appointment confirmation letter
(name, date of birth, and passport number) match the information on your passport. 7
Applicants must bring all the basic application requirements including the interview
appointment letter, DS-160 confirmation page, valid passport, one 2 x 2 photo, and all
prior passports and U.S. visas, if available. It is helpful to bring a governmentrecognized photo ID (in addition to the passport) to present upon entry.
Embassy personnel are available to provide assistance at each stage. Applicants who require
interpreters must inform the interviewing officer on the day of their interview. There is no need to
bring a relative or a friend to act as an interpreter as the Embassy can provide language assistance
when an applicant requests for it.

Step 5: Post-interview
6 Five or more applicants applying for the same purpose of travel strictly under the B1/B2 classification,
and will travel on the same date, are encouraged to apply together as a group. Examples of groups
include but are not limited to sports team, school groups, groups travelling for competitions, and service
organizations. Family members traveling together and groups traveling on group tour packages DO
NOT qualify for group appointments.

7 If you booked your interview using an old passport number, you have to bring the old passport along
with the basic documentary requirements. If the details on your passport, appointment confirmation
letter, and your CEAC barcode do not match on the day of your appointment, you will not be allowed to
proceed to your interview and will be asked to reschedule a new date.
If you need assistance in correcting pertinent information on your appointment confirmation letter,
please contact the call center for assistance no later than 48 hours before your interview date.

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A consular officer will inform the applicant at the conclusion of the interview whether
he/she qualifies for a U.S. visa.
If a visa is approved, the passport with U.S. visa will be delivered by the courier service
at the address provided or the courier branch chosen when the appointment was
made. Please note that the courier will deliver to Philippine addresses only.8
To track the status of a nonimmigrant visa case, applicants can access the Consular Electronic
Application Center (CEAC) website, http://ceac.state.gov. Applicants will need to choose from the
drop down menu their interview location (Philippines, Manila), and enter the CEAC Barcode (from the
CEAC confirmation page submitted on the day of the interview) to view the current status of case.

If an applicant is refused under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
and is requested to provide additional information or supporting documents, s/he will
receive a 221(g) letter with instructions on how to proceed. S/he will not need to make
another appointment or pay another application fee. S/he has one year within which to
comply with the requirement of the 221(g) letter.

If an applicant is refused under Section 214(b) or any other section, s/he may reapply
as soon as s/he can pay the application fee an appointment through the call center or
the online appointment system. While on a second interview s/he will meet with a
different officer, please be aware that s/he must still demonstrate strong ties to his/her
country. In most cases, it is better to wait until his/her personal circumstances have
changed significantly before reapplying. Quick re-applications based largely on the hope
of finding a consul more inclined to issue may result in a second refusal.

Related FAQs on US Visa Application

Do I need to have a specific trip planned in order to apply for a visa? One may apply for a visa
even if s/he simply wishes to have the option to make a trip at some point in the future. Please
make this intention clear to the consul during the interview.

8 If the applicant is not present at the time of the delivery of the passport, the applicant must
leave an authorization letter to a representative and a government-recognized photo ID for both
representative and applicant. Both the applicant and the representative must sign the
authorization letter.

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Should I buy my plane ticket before getting a visa? We do not recommend purchasing tickets
before qualifying for a visa. If your travel depends upon the issuance of a United States
nonimmigrant visa, you should make no irrevocable travel plans until your visa is approved and
your passport with the new visa affixed is returned to your possession.
I called the Call Center or telephone appointment system but am scheduled two months from
now. Is it possible to get an earlier appointment? Early interviews will be granted in limited
cases and under pressing circumstances.9
A person told me that I have a better chance of getting a visa if I pay a few thousand pesos for
help in completing and processing the application. Is this true? No. The application form
should be completed by the applicant. Completing it should require no special assistance, and we
recommend strongly that the applicant write it himself/herself. If an applicant cannot accomplish
the form himself/herself, a representative may accomplish and, hence, sign the form. The
applicant must review and sign the application form before submission to the Embassy during
the scheduled interview.
How do you decide whether or not to issue a visa? What does 214(b) mean? For business and
tourist visas (B-1/B-2), each applicant must qualify under section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration
and Nationality Act (INA), which states:

9 Due to the large demand for visa interviews, we cannot accommodate all requests for expedited
appointments. However, we will do our best to grant them for urgent medical treatment, death of a
family member, business reasons (in limited circumstances), or for students with strict travel deadlines.
To request an Expedited Appointment, follow the steps in the Expedited Appointment section of our
appointment web site. Call Center agents cannot grant expedited appointment requests, but they can
help guide applicants through the online process. Call (02) 976-8500 to 02 from the Philippines or (703)
520-2235 from the United States for assistance.

Please note that same-day and next-day expedited appointments are not available.

Please be aware that requests for Expedited Appointments are processed only during business hours.
Requests received after hours, on weekends, or on Embassy holidays will be processed the following
business day. Once your Expedited Appointment request has been approved, please book your new
appointment within 24 hours to ensure your slot is not taken by another applicant.

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"Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the
officer, at the time of the application for a visa . . . that he is entitled to nonimmigrant status . . .
Essentially, the visa officer is looking to see that the applicant has compelling reasons to return to
the Philippines. By law, the burden of proof is on the applicant to show that he or she qualifies
for the visa. This proof may come in many forms, but when considered together, it must be
strong enough for the interviewing officer to conclude that ones ties to the Philippines will bring
him/her back at the end of a temporary stay in the United States.
If I present a letter of guarantee of return from a person of high stature, will I get a visa? A
letter of guarantee is insufficient to fully establish an applicant's qualifications for a visa, or to
establish the applicant's social, family, and economic ties to the Philippines. U.S. law requires
that each applicant qualify for a visa based upon his or her own ties.
Isn't it better not to disclose that I have close relatives living in the United States, that I have
an immigrant visa petition on file, or that I have previously been denied? What are the
consequences if I conceal or misrepresent information or submit fraudulent documents? You
should always be honest with the consular officer, and answer any questions posed to the best of
your ability. We understand that many people have relatives in the United States but intend only
a short visit, or have immigrant visa petitions on file but do not plan to immigrate at this time.
Having family in the U.S. or having an immigrant visa petition on file does not automatically
disqualify you from getting a visa. Failure to disclose these facts, many of which are already
known to the interviewing officer can irreparably damage an applicant's credibility with the
consular officer and result in a denial. When an interviewing officer uncovers any attempt to
conceal or misrepresent facts, the application will be denied and the applicant may, in certain
cases, be found permanently ineligible to enter the United States.
I don't have an original copy of my land title because it is mortgaged with the bank. Should I
buy a substitute title so I can present something at the interview? Never purchase documents to
present at an applicants interview. The genuine documents in ones possession provide him/her a
better chance of qualifying for a visa, whether now or in a future application. When an
interviewing officer uncovers any questionable documents or attempts to misrepresent facts, the
application will be denied and the applicant may, in certain cases, be ruled permanently ineligible
to enter the United States.
Why are the visa interviews so short? I was asked only a couple of questions and the
interviewer hardly looked at my documents. In a typical 8-hour day, a consular officer may need
to interview 150 applicants or more, which allows about 3 minutes per applicant. The application
form, if completed thoroughly, contains most of the information needed to adjudicate the visa.
Additional documents are examined only if the consular officer needs to obtain further
clarification of the applicants situation.

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I presented all the documents I had, but my application was turned down anyway. What else
could I bring? When an officer conducts an interview, he or she references the application
forms, and may refer to supporting documentation if necessary. However, most visa interviews
are conducted based on information provided in the application and the interview questions.
While the officer may ask for some documentation, the heart of the interview is the applicant's
responses to the officers' questions.

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