Before you appear in US Embassy in Manila for the non-immigrant visa interview, make sure you accomplished the following checklist:
- Accurate and complete information on your DS-156 form with 2X2 photo. Photo should be a frontal shot of your face with both ears showing. Photo should be against white background and of you in business attire.
- Accurate and complete information on your DS-157 form.
- Passport
- Confirmed Interview schedule with the US Consul done by internet. Print email confirmation. You can do this by calling the call center or accessing online appointment application via their Visa Point™
- Paid Visa Application fees. DS-157 should have a machine validation from the bank when payment is made. Payment is roughly amounts to Php 7,000 when converted to peso.
- Letter of Invitation from business entity or family relations from USA
- Additional supporting documents depending on the purpose of your intention to enter the US Territories (Business, Work Permit, Tourist)
The Manila US Embassy where the non-immigrant visa interview is conducted is located at Roxas Boulevard , it is in front of the Bayview Park Hotel. See Google Map of US Embassy in Manila, Philippines.
The illustration below is the current procedure in applying for Non-immigrant Visa. Procedures could be subject to change at any time in the future but this is a good idea of the general step by step.
STEP 1: Non-Immigrant Visa Entrance
Fall in line in the non-immigrant queue. Reception attendants will confirm your appointment. Present your confirmed interview print-out, DS-156 and DS-157. A barcode sticker will be attached to your passport and Air21 form will be issued to you. Fill-out the Air21 form if your visa is approved.
STEP 2: Security and X-Ray
You will pass through a security check and your belongings will pass thru an x-ray machine. NO electronic devices and gadgets of any kind are allowed inside the embassy (cellphones, mp3 players, flash drive, etc). It is better to leave these items at home.
STEP 3: Pre-Screening
Pre-Screening is done in The Pavilion area. You can fall in line any one of windows labeled C, D, E and F. Present your DS-156, DS-157, passport and supporting documents. You will be given your QUEUE NUMBER. Keep this until the end of the interview. Proceed to the Waiting Area and wait for your Queue Number to be called.
STEP 4: Finger-Print Scanning
Queue Numbers will be called in random. Pay attention to this. When your number is called, proceed to the Finger-print scanning window where your finger-prints will be processed. After your prints are processed, they will return to you your passport, forms and documents.
STEP 5: Interview with the Consul
Wait for your Queue Number to flash on the queuing screen. When it’s your turn, go to the assigned window and present your documents and passport to the consul. The consul will ask you questions regarding your application. The consul will then inform you if your visa is approved or denied.
STEP 6: Visa and Passport Delivery
The consul will keep your passport if your visa is approved. You can now go back to the Pavilion where Air21 delivery service is located. Fill-out the form and pay the visa and passport delivery charge. Standard delivery time is one-week.
Some Helpful Tips in Applying for your Non-Immigrant US Visa
- Make sure forms are duly accomplished and documents are complete and accurate to avoid delays. Information on your passport should be the same of that written on your DS-156 and DS-157. If a question in the form is not applicable to you, make sure to write N/A or Not Applicable.
- Arrive in the Embassy at least 2 hours before your appointment time because queue lines can be very long. Arriving there early will give you ample time to go through the pre-screening process so you can make it on your scheduled interview with the consul in time.
Answer the consul’s questions and explain in clear, short and concise manner. This is helpful for the consul and you. - Make sure that you know pertinent information regarding your application that could include but not limited to:
a. the purpose of your visit
b. your relationship to the person who sent you the invitation
c. dates (example: if you are attending a family member’s wedding, the date of the wedding. If you are going there for a training, the training dates)
d. planned destinations in USA
e. length of stay
f. who will pay for your trip
g. guarantee of your return to the Philippines - Be honest on the information provided. Any fraud found will be subjected to refusal of any form of visa from the embassy in the future.
- You can bring a book to pass the time while waiting for your turn.
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