First and foremost, the United States of America (USA) is a land of honey and milk. It is where you find the so-called "AMERICAN DREAM". Many people want to set foot in this country because they think that if you are in the USA your life will be in heaven (Not on my say). I was hesitant first to obtain the United States Non-Immigrant Visa because at first thought I don't like America and it seems it's just a big country with no diverse culture compared to Europe. But my sister insisted on letting me get a Visa because she wants that we will be together having a vacation with her family there this coming May. I second think about it because the visa application will cost 160 USD (or 8000+ PHP). This will really reap my money because on the one hand if I don't get approve it means goodbye 160 USD and hello frustration and disappointment. But after a thorough evaluation, I came up to a conclusion with the pros of having a USA NIV and this is the thought that went to my mind:
Those countries as of the moment will be granted in addition to your current Philippine Visa Free Countries. Without further ado, this is the process of how I obtain my US NIV.
My profile: Single, 29, Applying solo, Traveling with my sister and her family (But they are in Taiwan), Self-funded, No friends/relatives on the USA, Going to New York and Washington DC for 15 Days
Note: I categorically stated B2 type because I am only going there for tourism and there is a category wherein you will choose B1 which is business or B1/B2 for both.
Step 1: Prepare your documents:
- Soft Copy and Hard Copy of a 2x2 Picture (specification)
- Accommodation (I put in my application HI NYC Hostel but didn't book it)
- US Contact information (I put my hostel's info here)
Step 2: Fill in the DS-160 Form
- In this page, you will start your application. There are other options as well like upload an existing application which you downloaded last time or just retrieve your application.
- It is important that you only select B2 here because if you either choose B1 or B1/B2 it will not let you narrate your travel history which is your greatest strength.
- I put here the name of my sister and my brother-in-law. My sister is a naturalized Taiwanese Citizen and does have a Taiwanese passport so she need not apply for a visa.
- For the US contact, I used the HI NYC Hostel Info
- It this area you input your previous employment and last education or training you attended
- In this portion, your travel history will be asked and fill in as many countries as you can.
- In the Security and Background make sure you answered no in all question for a much higher chance of approval.
- You upload the digital copy of your 2x2 Picture.
Step 4: Schedule an Appointment
- I highly suggest you get the earliest time of interview so that you don't need to wait for a long time.
- You sign up here to have an account
- Click the New Application/ Schedule Appointment
- Choose the Non-Immigrant Visa
- Select the B2 Visitor Pleasure or Medical Treatment
- Fill in all the necessary information
- This is for group application so just hit continue
- I choose the pickup option because you will be more secure that you will get your passport
- Input the Reference Number in the Receipt Number field, the one you enrolled in your BPI account.
- Then after this, you can schedule an interview day "CONGRATULATIONS"
- You will receive an email with the Appointment Letter and you need to print it and bring it with you.
- All you need to do next is wait for the Big Day!
Every time I go to Manila for any visa application (My previous Slovenian Schengen Visa Application) I always arrive 1 day before the application to compose myself and make myself ready for anything. I am from Bukidnon so its a necessity to be in Manila 1 day ahead to anticipate the delay and flight cancellation. Also, I make sure I'm just walking distance from the embassy so that it won't be a hassle to go there. There are a lot of Hotels/Hostel/Restaurant along Ermita so you don't need to worry.
What I wore on the interview day:
What I brought with me on the interview day (A folder with the following things inside):
- DS-160 form
- Appointment Confirmation Letter
- Printed BPI online payment confirmation from my mail
- Certificate of Employment
- BDO savings account passbook ( I didn't request a Bank Certificate)
- Printed online BDO 3 months bank statement
- My Paypal 3 months transaction
- Confirmed Ticket of my sister and her family (They already booked their ticket)
- ESTA of my sister and her family (ESTA is a document obtained online by countries (including Taiwan) that are visa exempt to the USA)
- Ballpen
I am scheduled for a 7:45 AM interview and I arrived at the embassy 6:30 AM and they are already processing the 7:45 applications. I gave my passport to the lady in the gate and told me to line to lane 4. There are a few people only at that time and I was the 6th one on the line. I gave my DS-160 form and the lady put a barcode sticker at the back of my passport and gave me a pink laminated paper and let me enter the embassy entrance. On the compound, you will pass by a security check and after it, you will go to the waiting area were the color assigned to you will be your nook. That time they already let the applicants go inside even though at my watch it is still 7AM. So I hurried inside and line up with the other people. I was assigned to booth 6 a Filipina lady, she asks for my passport and 2x2 picture. She then asked for my complete name and birthday and where am I going (I said New York and Washington DC). After that, she gave me back my passport and 2x2 Picture. I was then instructed to proceed to biometrics and I was assigned at booth 12. It was an American guy and greeted me with "How are you today" (I answered "Perfect", I noticed that he always ask that question and the people lining are always saying "good" so I changed my answer =] ) and he told me to put my fingers on the scanner for biometrics and I was all set. Next, I was directed to the line of people waiting for the interview. Many of us are still waiting because we are the first batch of applicants to be interviewed. I was saying my prayers at that time while lining (1 Our Father and 3 Hail Mary) to ease the tension I have on my body. After exactly 8AM, the line is starting to move and I was assigned at Booth 24 and my interviewer is a Mid 30's American guy.
Me: Good Morning!
Consul: Why are you going to the US?
Me: Tourism
Consul: Are you traveling alone?
Me: No, I'm traveling with my sister and Taiwanese brother-in-law
Consul: Are they here as well?
Me: No, they are in Taiwan
Consul: (Looking at my DS-160) Are you are a seaman?
Me: No
Consul: How did you visit these countries?
Me: I backpack
Consul: (kinda amaze) What countries have you visited
Me: (Stated what I've practiced) last to Mention Maldives.
Consul: You backpack in the Maldives?
Me: No, I'm with my sister at that time.
Consul: Did you fund all your travel?
Me: Yes
Consul: Really? Your salary is high enough for that?
Me: (I was thinking for my US Trip but I think he meant to say for my entire backpacking) Oww!! No, My brothers sometimes gave me money
Consul: Approved
Me: Thank You.
Note: Prior to me a lady was having a hard time answering the question of the consul. She asked the lady for her old passport but she didn't bring it with her. The consul had a lot of question for her but still, she got approved. (Maybe its a sign for me as well) Thank God!
I observed that if the Consul is not so old around the '30s or 40's they are lenient of visa approval. So try to choose that Consul if there is a chance to change lane please do.
I am happy and thankful to God for the successful visa application and at exactly 8:30AM I got out of the embassy.
After 5 working days, I got my visa and its a 10 Year Multiple Entry Visa!!! WOW!!
“Everything tells me that I am about to make a wrong decision, but making mistakes is just part of life. What does the world want of me? Does it want me to take no risks, to go back to where I came from because I didn't have the courage to say "yes" to life?”
― Paulo Coelho
"Dream big and never be afraid to try because when you fall the first time you learn and the second time will be the success"
