US VISA Application Walkthrough - From Online Forms to Final Interview

Getting a US VISA have become a goal to most Filipinos. Though it is not the one on top, having it on your passport could take you to so many places. A US Visa will also open up bigger opportunity for you to fly. I have heard a lot of application stories both from those who successfully got it and to those who were sadly, unlucky, that even after so many attempts, they still ends up denied.

Luckily, I was one of those lucky Filipinos who were able to get a multiple entry Visa on my first try. A huge life wins that made me so happy especially when I finally got my passport just in two days. And because some friends have been asking me questions about the whole process that I went through, I decided to create this article.

In this blog I will give you a walkthrough (as accurate as to how I’ve done it) and the story how I was able to get my US Tourist Visa. But just a disclaimer, my situation could be different from yours so just make this a reference if ever you’ll be doing it in the future. Hope it helps!

First things first, The long US Online Visa application Form – DS160

Of course before you even start applying, make sure that your passport isn’t expired. Also prepare a recent 2×2 photo file that you can insert in the Visa application. In the US Embassy website, it says that you would need to pay the fee first before anything else, though you can actually do that on a later part. I paid mine after filling up the application form. If ever you encounter questions that you would need to think of first you can just simply save your form first and go back to it on another day.

Here is the link on to start you online application: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visaapply.asp#apply

Select the type of Visa you are getting – DS-160 is for Tourist Visa
Fill up DS-160. It is important that you would receive a Confirmation Number.
Create an account at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/
Pay the fee via BPI bank
Wait for the code (mine arrive after 3 days)
Schedule an interview at the US Embassy
On the day of the interview, appear an hour earlier at your call time

I think, one of the most important part of the whole process is filling up the DS-160 as true and exact as possible. This will be the ultimate basis of the embassy to approve or deny your visa. Why I said so… just continue reading.

The Day of the Interview

True to what was shown in the US Embassy Infomercials, there are only three steps you would need to take as soon as you enter the embassy. The US Embassy have been able to create a process to make it really simple and quick as possible. In my experience, it only took less than 2 1/2 hours and I am already done. If there weren’t a long queue at the interview, I could have been able to finish it in an hour.

Anyway, after passing through the gate, you will be given a color card that separates you from the other time schedule. Inside there will be three steps;

Pre-screening
Finger scanning
Interview

What you need:

Valid Passport
2×2 ID photo
Other proof and papers you would need to bring depending on the type of passport you are getting

Just to make sure that I got supporting documents if it was asked, I prepared the following just in case it was needed:

Employment Certificate
BIR form 2316
Bank Certificate (Around 200 to 300k I think would be okay)
Account Statement
Contracts I got for this year
Business Certificate
Birth Certificate
Old Passports

The US Visa Appointment Day Walkthrough

I booked a hotel via Booking.com nearby so I could be early on the day of the interview.

My interview appointment is at 9 in the morning. Although it says in the website that I should arrive 15 minutes before the appointment. I decided to be there an hour before 9. Luckily, when I arrived at 8am, batch 9am was already being called and asked to go inside the embassy. I am just right in time!

As you pass the guard, a screener will ask for your passport. They will then put on a particular barcode in your passport. Each screener got a list of all applicants schedule on a particular time so your appearance is already expected. You will then be given a color card that segregates you from the other time.

As I go inside, I pass by a metal detector then went straight at the waiting area and look for the group sporting my color. Here a staff will give instructions on what to do next. We were told to prepare our passport and ID photos, and to only give the photo if needed.

At 8:30 am, my block was already given an access to go inside. Again phones and other battery operated gadgets are prohibited, even food and gums so beware of that. You do not want to go home and miss this opportunity. As I pass another metal detector, my color card was taken. this is were the immigrant and non immigrant applicants go on a separate ways. Immigrants to the right, Non immigrants to the left.

1. Pre-Screening

At the pre-screening, I gave my passport and was ask to tell my name and birthday, I was also asked where am I going in the US. My ID photo were then compared to my photo I pasted at the DS-160. I was when it taken.

After the short pre screening, I went to step

2. Finger Scanning

Queuing was really fast, as soon as I go to the 2nd step I was instructed to go straight to a certain window. Here, I was ask to put the back of my passport at the glass window where the consul scans the code. I was ask to state my name and birthday. Afterwards, the fingerprint scanning follows.

3. Interview

The 3rd step took more time because of the queuing. It is the final interview with the consul. At around 9:30 there were only 6 windows accepting applicants. And because you would need to wait ’till your time (and because there is no other entertainment) you would just either watch the videos on the huge tv, talk to the person beside you or do people watching, guessing who were approved or denied.

At around 10:10 It was already my turn, I was told to go at Window 19, unfortunately, after the last interview that the consul did, she told us she’s closing her window. So, me and the person before me assigned to that number transferred to Window 20.

The Final Interview a the Consul Window

I didn’t really prepared much in this interview. Though I did read a few articles and talk to friends asking about their experiences. After getting a lot of comments I can say that overall you would just need to be honest, confident and compose in the interview. Though, I know it’s something that still terrifies me thinking that a simple mistake could change the scenario; definitely a make or break situation. And if denied, I would have just wasted the 8k fee I paid (and of course my time, etc).

Eavesdropping from the other applicants being interviewed, I am hearing questions like; What do you do? What is your business? How much is your net capital? Who’s travelling with you and the likes. Though I know the questions differs on each person depending on what was needed to be cleared.

The three ladies in front of me were all approved, which gives me more pressure, “Hey I do not want to be the chain breaker.”

As I go near the window, I delightfully greeted the consul a good morning, projecting a very welcoming mood. I was ask to hand him my passport.

The consul was a good looking American guy in his 40s (I think). Wearing a white long sleeves shirt, and slightly scruffy face, his looks leans towards to approachable making me feel more relax in the interview.

Here is our conversation (as how I remember it)

Consul: What will you do in the US?
Rodel: Leisure/ Tourism
C: Who’s going with you?
R: As of now, I’m actually planning to go solo.

(He throws a joke here – parang he was telling it would be lonely something like that, I answer back…)

R: But actually, I still waiting if my dad would want to join me on my trip. But yeah as of now just me.
C: What do you do for work?
R: I work as a Digital Producer in a local TV station

(He browse something in the computer, then told me …)

C: Oh, your company doesn’t pay you well?
R: Haha, hmm… Well, Yeah. That’s why I got other jobs.
C: Oh, What are these jobs?
R: I got my own website I maintain. I write articles for different companies.
C: I see. What you took up in college?

(I though he was asking where I took up so I answered the school I attended)

R: I took up college at the Technological University of the Philippines. (Then realising his question I segue to the course I took) took up Computer Engineering Technology.
Its actually far from what I am doing right now actually
C: Oh I see, hmm … What did you do in Greece?
R: Oh it was both work and leisure, I represent the Singaporean Airline brand, Scoot. They brought us to Greece to write about our tourism experience during winter.

(Remember my trip to Athens, Greece? Check it here)

(After typing a few, he said…)

C: CONGRATULATIONS, You’re Approved!
R: Oh wow! Thanks! (Giving him a huge smile on my face)

I was told it will be delivered after a few days. I went straight to the exit, still containing my excitement. I saw a bathroom before the gate, I entered, check if there are other persons inside and there I exploded haha!

I still cant believe I passed. Thanks be to God! 🙂

10:20 AM, I was already done. I went straight to my hotel, grabbed my phone and delivered the good news to my family and friends!

After 1 day, I receive a message telling me that my passport is already forwarded at the courier.

After 2 days, my passport was delivered. And I received a great news stating on my visa – 10 years validity!

Personal Thoughts + Insider Tips

Because I know Wednesday morning could be very traffic in Manila, I decided to book a nice hotel nearby to stay a day before the big interview. At least, I could have a really good night sleep, breakfast and enough time to prepare before heading at the embassy.

Booking.com

As to how I see it, I think the DS-160 plays a really important role in the application. When I was being interviewed, the consul didn’t bother to check on any of the papers I brought. He just based everything at the form I filled up, so make sure it is all true and you know the answers by heart.

I think (personal thoughts), even before my form was given at the consul, there were already a process that happens telling if its approved or not and the questions of the consul were just clarifications and a chance for you to defend your self if there are discrepancies in your papers. Though, the result is already given, I think the consul have the power to change it, either deny or approve an applicant depending on the answers he would be giving on the interview.

Aside from being just yourself and giving full honesty to your answers, it is also important that you could be able to make the interview on a very casual tone, like you were just doing a conversation with someone who you already know. Be at your best, wear comfortable decent clothes and lastly keep calm.

Here is an insider information I got from someone who worked before at the embassy. I was told that usually, US Embassy got a quota of applicants to be approved in a day/month. That is why sometimes, if you were unlucky, even if your papers are okay, the consul will need to deny for they might have already reach their quota for the day. I do know that most embassies have a particular number of applicants to be approved but I am not sure how they do it. I do not know if it helps but maybe scheduling an earlier time is better than going on a later time of the day? What do you think? Do you have any other tips to share? Do let me know in the comments section.

P.S. No need to bring a pen so do not be like me who bought a pen outside the embassy for Php 20 thinking I might need it inside.

US VISA Application Walkthrough – From Online Forms to Final Interview + Insider Tips

First things first, The long US Online Visa application Form – DS160